Renovation of Anren Liaowei Mansion – Anren Tourist Center by Atelier Li Xinggang

A contemporary transformation of Sichuan heritage into a vibrant cultural and community gateway.

The Renovation of Anren Liaowei Mansion, now the Anren Tourist Center, is a landmark adaptive-reuse project by Atelier Li Xinggang located on the southwestern edge of Anren Ancient Town, Chengdu. Originally a private residence and later repurposed as a brewery and rural dwelling, the historic Liao Wei Mansion had fallen into severe disrepair. In 2018, it was designated a Chengdu protected historical building, prompting this extensive renovation and expansion aimed at reviving its cultural significance.

Today, the transformed site functions as both a visitor center and a community hub, while serving as a model for contemporary approaches to heritage conservation, new town development, and Linpan settlement revitalization in China.

Context: A Gateway Between Ancient Town and New Development

Positioned 1–2 kilometers from Anren’s historic Bazi district, the site occupies a strategic location at the town’s peripheral edge—acting as an “outer living room” for visitors.

• North: Dense self-built village housing
• West: Large-scale school and university campuses
• East and South: Originally open farmland
• Front: Town bus terminal across the main road

The remaining mansion, surrounded by mature trees and vegetation, formed a small Linpan cluster—a traditional rural settlement structure integral to Sichuan’s cultural landscapes.

Restoring a Three-Courtyard Mansion

The original Liao Wei Mansion was a typical Anren courtyard residence, arranged across three courtyards linked by high walls and roofed walkways. Years of neglect had left walls collapsed, gate structures damaged, and roof frames decaying.

To protect the historical integrity, the architects undertook a complete disassembly and reassembly of the old structure. Key strategies included:

• Rebuilding deteriorated sections matching traditional construction
• Reinforcing existing timber frames
• Retaining all salvageable architectural elements
• Introducing steel structures and lightweight materials for the new additions
• Ensuring minimal impact on original walls, roofs, and courtyard composition

This approach ensured that the renovated mansion maintained its cultural authenticity while achieving modern functional standards.

Expanding from Three Courtyards to Five

The design team extended the original layout, adding:

• A low-profile courtyard to the west
• A taller, broader courtyard to the east

This transformation from three to five courtyards preserves the spatial logic of the traditional pitched-roof compound while introducing contemporary volumes. The result is a cohesive yet dynamic interplay between old and new architectural languages.

Courtyard Functions and Spatial Experience

1. First Courtyard – Heritage Restoration Showcase

The first courtyard serves as an exhibition of Liao Wei Mansion’s restored architecture and other heritage buildings of Anren. Visitors immediately encounter local craftsmanship, historic timber structures, and cultural narratives. A lightweight timber enclosure frames rest areas inside and outside the building.

2 & 3. Second and Third Courtyards – Community Spaces

Smaller in scale and structurally damaged, these courtyards were not fully restored. Instead, the architects preserved the structural framework and reimagined them as semi-outdoor multipurpose spaces with flexible layouts suitable for:

• Community events
• Workshops
• Exhibitions
• Outdoor gatherings

These courtyards strengthen the project’s role as a social and civic platform.

West Expansion – Human-Scaled Community Interface

Aligned with the old mansion wall, the western extension features a gentle monopitch roof that slopes toward the central community plaza. It creates:

• A modest, welcoming frontage for the secondary entrance
• A direct interface with the growing Linpan neighborhood
• A sheltered public realm for daily use by residents and tourists

Its unobtrusive form pays respect to the historic compound while enhancing local urban life.

East Expansion – Monumental Yet Respectful Architecture

The east extension introduces a dynamic pitched roof rising from the historic building outward, featuring:

• Progressive xieshan-style rooflines
• A dramatic, truncated volume shaped by site boundaries
• A monumental monopitch roof facing the main arrival plaza
• Gabled vertical facades toward the urban street
• Lower eaves near the old mansion to maintain hierarchy

The resulting polygonal building harmonizes traditional Chinese roof typologies with contemporary abstraction and spatial clarity.

Circulation, Roofscape, and Viewing Pavilion

Under the multi-level pitched roof, diverse programs unfold across varying volumes. As visitors ascend the internal circulation path:

• The walkway shifts between intimate and open roof relationships
• The journey culminates at a hilltop-like viewing pavilion
• Guests enjoy panoramic views of the cascading rooflines, farmland, and the evolving Linpan town

The roofscape becomes a symbolic and literal bridge, visually integrating:

• The restored historical mansion
• The new architectural insertions
• The surrounding landscape
• The future urban community

 A Landmark of Heritage Innovation and Community Renewal

The Renovation of Anren Liaowei Mansion by Atelier Li Xinggang exemplifies how architecture can honor cultural heritage while serving the needs of contemporary society. By combining meticulous preservation with sensitive expansion, the project revitalizes a neglected historical site into a vibrant civic asset.

It stands as a prototype for integrating historic architecture, community spaces, and modern tourism facilities within China’s rapidly developing urban-rural regions.

All photographs are works of Fangfang Tian, Shengliang Su