Su Yuan, House and Garden by Atelier Deshaus: A Contemporary Interpretation of Jiangnan Garden-Inspired Architecture

Reviving Industrial Land into a Cultural Landmark

In Dayu Village of Shanghai’s Jiading District, where lush vineyards define the rural landscape, a defunct township-owned factory has been transformed into a poetic architectural narrative. Atelier Deshaus’s Su Yuan, House and Garden emerges from this formerly idle site, embodying the convergence of cultural memory, ecological renewal, and spatial experimentation. Originally conceived for renowned artist Yue Minjun and later revitalized by fashion brand Dazzle, the building serves today as a multifunctional cultural center, connecting the rhythms of Jiangnan traditions with contemporary architectural logic.

Architectural Concept Rooted in Jiangnan Aesthetics

At the heart of the design is the ancient spatial wisdom of Jiangnan gardens—infused with a modern reinterpretation. Inspired by Yue Minjun’s Maze series, Atelier Deshaus envisioned a continuous spiral path that embodies the idea of Qujing Miyuan—a labyrinthine progression of winding paths and hidden vistas. This spatial logic draws from the jin movement found in traditional Jiangnan residences, where one navigates through layered courtyards, thresholds, and sectional depth to arrive at inner sanctuaries.

The transformation begins with the site’s square footprint, 50 meters on each side. Within this disciplined geometry, a broken spiral unfolds. It loops through spaces that oscillate between openness and enclosure, each turn revealing new alignments, visual connections, and shifting perspectives—echoing the classical principle of borrowed scenery and layered narrative in Chinese garden design.

A Sculpted Terrain: Architecture in Dialogue with the Earth

Rather than imposing form onto the land, the project works in tandem with it. Earth excavated from a swimming pool was repurposed to create a softly contoured hill that weaves through the built structure. This topographical intervention not only enhances the haptic experience of ascending and descending but also gives rise to a modern "rockery"—a motif central to traditional Chinese gardens. The seamless integration of architecture and terrain encourages a contemplative bodily journey, guiding visitors through spaces that feel both monumental and intimate.

Programmatic Adaptation with Traditional Roots

Although Su Yuan now houses a range of cultural functions—art exhibitions, a library, tea house, yoga rooms, and guest accommodations—its spatial logic remains anchored in vernacular domesticity. The original program included a living room, study, guest quarters, and a tea room, resembling the layout of Jiangnan-style homes. Atelier Deshaus leveraged this inherent adaptability, reinforcing the idea that traditional architectural typologies possess timeless flexibility when interpreted through thoughtful design.

Unlike the rigid hierarchies often present in classical domestic architecture, the spiral circulation dissolves formal boundaries. One may find themselves drifting effortlessly from an interior gallery to a courtyard, then suddenly arriving at a rooftop terrace with sweeping vineyard views. This uninterrupted movement underscores a reimagined freedom of space—more aligned with the fluidity of contemporary life.

Living Landscape and Temporal Depth

Su Yuan’s central courtyard offers a vivid metaphor for continuity and growth. Thirteen trees, planted over fifteen years ago during the building’s initial construction phase, have matured alongside the architecture. Rising alongside the walls, they appear as one collective body—framing views, offering shade, and serving as silent witnesses to the site’s transformation. Their slow, organic development contrasts the built environment’s sharp lines, bringing forth a sense of permanence and temporality that defines the entire project.

On the rooftop, visitors are rewarded with panoramic vistas that extend across the rural horizon. At dusk, the sky blazes over the vineyards—transforming the house into a stage where nature performs, and the built space becomes a quiet observer.

Jiangnan Garden-Inspired Architecture Reimagined

Su Yuan, House and Garden is more than a spatial homage—it is a living, evolving experiment in translating Jiangnan's poetic garden ideals into the language of contemporary architecture. Through spiraling pathways, shifting ground planes, and adaptable programming, Atelier Deshaus crafts a building that honors tradition while inviting new narratives. In doing so, the project becomes not only a cultural center but a meditation on memory, form, and time.

All Photographs are works of Fangfang Tian