Villagers' Activity Center in Lijiashan Village: Revitalizing Rural Architecture with AESEU Studio

Redefining Public Spaces in Rural China

The Villagers' Activity Center in Lijiashan Village is a pioneering example of how rural architecture in China can be reimagined to enhance community life. Designed by AESEU Architectural Technology and Art Studio, the project transforms dormant collective assets into vibrant, multifunctional spaces for culture, leisure, and social interaction.

Completed in 2021 and spanning 500 m², the project demonstrates how rural revitalization can emerge through adaptive reuse, sustainable construction, and respect for local traditions.

From Dormant Courtyard to Community Hub

Before renovation, the site consisted of abandoned bungalows that served as the original village activity courtyard. Its location, disconnection from the village’s main gathering spaces, and an inward-focused spatial layout had rendered it obsolete.

AESEU’s design revitalizes the compound into a dynamic community hub, addressing the real needs of villagers—particularly the elderly who form the majority of permanent residents. By transforming underutilized rooms into engaging cultural and recreational facilities, the project injects new life into a neglected rural asset.

The Open Courtyard Under the Eaves

The design concept is rooted in the traditional eaves gallery, a familiar spatial form in Chinese vernacular architecture. The roof was expanded to cover most of the courtyard, creating a sheltered semi-outdoor space that fosters community interaction.

This architectural gesture blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, encouraging villagers to chat, play chess, make handicrafts, or simply enjoy the natural elements. The continuous roof, supported by small steel structures and skylights, respects the scale of surrounding farmhouses while transforming the courtyard into a social living room for the village.

Flexibility Through Modern Structure

Inside, the activity center embraces flexibility with steel frame construction and folding partitions. These allow the building to adapt seamlessly between small-scale gatherings and large exhibitions.

Patios and side yards ensure proper ventilation and natural light, while glass roofs and aluminum grilles create a comfortable ambiance. Exhibition walls showcase the works of Zhao, a famous village calligrapher and painter, attracting younger generations and reinforcing cultural identity.

The Temple as Spiritual Anchor

Beyond its communal function, the project respects the spiritual dimension of village life. The existing Bodhisattva Temple was rebuilt in clear concrete, with wooden textures and high-profile windows that play with light.

Glass-brick walls behind the shrine merge interior spirituality with the outside world. During traditional festivals, when villagers return to honor the deity with ceremonies, the temple strengthens the emotional bond between people and their homeland.

Modern Vernacular Architecture

The Villagers' Activity Center in Lijiashan Village exemplifies a modern approach to vernacular architecture. While rooted in tradition, it incorporates prefabricated steel structures to ensure fire safety, construction efficiency, and adaptability.

This method acknowledges the realities of rural China, where traditional crafts are fading and industrialized materials are more accessible. By blending local style with modern techniques, AESEU creates a sustainable, context-sensitive rural public building.

Revitalizing Rural Collective Assets

The project offers a lesson in how to revitalize idle village assets. Instead of consuming new land, AESEU demonstrates how abandoned courtyards can be transformed into functional, meaningful, and adaptable spaces.

Through architecture that balances tradition, modernity, and community needs, the Villagers' Activity Center in Lijiashan Village sets a model for rural revitalization, proving that rural architecture can be both practical and culturally rich.

All Photographs are works of  Timeraw Studio