SOHO Wisdom Granary: Revitalizing Dingzha Watertown Through Adaptive Reuse and Creative Industry

The SOHO Wisdom Granary of Dingzha Watertown, designed by line+ studio and MLA+, is a powerful example of adaptive reuse architecture, transforming an abandoned agricultural complex into a vibrant hub for creative industries, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange in Jiashan, China.

Completed in 2022, the 11,824 m² project reimagines a historic granary site as a catalyst for rural revitalization, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable development within the Yangtze River Delta integration zone.

Rural Revitalization Through Urban-Rural Collaboration

Dingzha Town, once a thriving agricultural settlement, experienced decline due to rapid urban migration. The project responds to this condition by proposing a new urban-rural collaboration model, where industry, culture, and community life are reintegrated.

Instead of demolishing the past, the architects focused on preserving the identity of the granary while introducing new functions. This approach supports:

• Local economic regeneration
• Cultural tourism development
• Sustainable community growth

By activating underused spaces, the project restores human vitality, employment opportunities, and social interaction, key drivers of long-term resilience.

Industrial Heritage as Cultural Identity

Originally built in the 1960s, the Dingzha granary complex represents one of the earliest examples of “house-style warehouses” in China. The preserved concrete arch granary structures are not only historically significant but also emotionally resonant for the local community.

Rather than treating these buildings as relics, the design positions them as “spiritual coordinates”, anchors of memory and identity. Their raw textures and aged materiality create a unique spatial atmosphere that attracts:

• Tourists
• Creative professionals
• Cultural producers

This transformation highlights how industrial heritage architecture can become a driver of placemaking and storytelling.

Spatial Transformation: From Storage to Knowledge Hub

The masterplan introduces the concept of a “Shared Smart Granary”, where former storage and processing facilities are reprogrammed into flexible, multifunctional spaces.

Key Spatial Strategies:

• Central Zone: Converted into open knowledge-sharing and event spaces
• Southern Granary Cluster: Transformed into entrepreneurial offices and studios
• Mixed Urban Fabric: Integrates residential and creative functions

The design carefully responds to the existing layout, preserving the structural logic and rhythm of the original buildings while inserting contemporary interventions.

Creative Ecosystem and Sustainable Development

The project forms part of a larger vision called the “Water Town SOHO”, a creative settlement that supports:

• Startups and innovation hubs
• Cultural production and exhibitions
• Community-driven activities

By combining architecture, planning, and economic strategy, the development fosters a self-sustaining ecosystem rooted in local resources and global creative networks.

This model demonstrates how adaptive reuse + creative industry integration can:

• Revive declining towns
• Attract new talent
• Strengthen regional identity

Architecture as a Tool for Regeneration

The SOHO Wisdom Granary goes beyond physical transformation: it redefines how architecture can mediate between past and future, rural and urban, production and creativity.

Through minimal intervention and maximum impact, the project successfully:

• Preserves cultural memory
• Introduces new economic opportunities
• Creates meaningful public spaces

It stands as a benchmark for sustainable rural revitalization projects in China and beyond.

All photographs are works of  Chen Xi Studio, Simu