Modern Echoes

Within the context of massive urbanization, Chinese rural architecture faces the challenge of reassessment. Cultural and traditional roots in local conditions are diminishing, and they are increasingly intertwined with the rapid exchange of digital information. It may be necessary to adjust the inherent characteristics of the local vernacular to allow for inclusivity in response to evolving societal changes.

Rather than rigidly adhering to conventional norms or conservative aesthetic principles, new rural construction methods are gradually adapting to geographical or economic constraints while continually reflecting traditional practices, resulting in an innovative local culture. Architects are working with local artisans in this process, introducing modern technologies and materials into diverse regional contexts. By employing a contemporary architectural vocabulary, they extend the traditional cultural context and perpetuate the inherent value of cultural roots.

The new architecture acts as a catalyst for the countryside, enhancing the promotion and marketing of rural brands, driving tourism, and stimulating the local economy. It also facilitates the emergence of a new class of rural immigrants. The key to rural revitalization lies in sustaining a vibrant population and thriving industries that support a healthy ecosystem. This socioeconomic transformation will be gradual. Initially, it involves drawing urban residents to rural areas and stimulating local industries. Over time, urban culture will enrich rural life, updating the villagers' knowledge and cultural practices while offering urban dwellers a fresh experience from rural traditions.

The Weishan Chongzheng Academy Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde is located in the west corner of the Weishan Ancient Town. The Chongzheng Academy was built during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty. It has a history of more than 500 years and boasts the region's most extensive collection of books. The essential priorities for our restoration project were based on how to revive its historic importance. The building maintains the original spatial configuration by applying a limited intervention and low-impact strategy. At the same time, it maximizes the preservation of the historical walls and the wooden structural details.

The book gallery features a lightweight steel structure, and the columns are selectively positioned within the courtyard and cantilevered above the passage floor. All the ancient trees in the courtyards have been preserved and they are intertwined with the book gallery, enhancing the internal space with their unique presence.

The addition on the eastern side of the Academy is the climax of the entire central axis. In urban terms, this sunken space composed of books resembles a spiritual treasure trove of cultural wealth, inviting exploration and discovery. The sunken configuration enriches the space and also follows the geological evolution of the Ming Dynasty in that the horizon was significantly lower than in modern times. During the construction process it came to my mind that: "Architecture is about the relationship between the earth and time."

In this sense, the ancient Academy, which once carried the significance of cultural enlightenment, is like a reborn phoenix and will continue to write the future for Weishan's culture and daily life.

In the Xiadi Paddy Field Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde, only three rammed earth walls and a few dilapidated courtyard walls remained intact. The remnants serve as a vessel that wraps around the new construction, storing the history and tales of this paddy field inside. Two kinked concrete walls form the main structure of the building, while two cantilevered floor slabs spread throughout the space and connect with the rammed earth walls at the corners. The edges of the floor slabs are detached from the rammed earth wall, and light enters through the gap. A steel column penetrates through the concrete structure and supports an umbrella-shaped roof on top of it, sheltering the entire building.

In the misty drizzle, the newly illuminated structure serves as a poignant metaphor for the rebirth of this once-forgotten landscape. It is an invitation, a silent plea, for new storytellers to weave their narratives into this abruptly paused chronicle.

Perched on the edge of the Nujiang Grand Canyon, a triangular sculptural building soars skyward. A central corridor runs through its heart, leading to an expansive view beyond. This is the Lushui Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde, which is under construction. The building mirrors the rugged topography of the canyon, carved by the mighty Nujiang River as it cascades between Gaoligong Mountain and Biluo Snow Mountain, forming an endless, majestic landscape. Drawing inspiration from the traditional crossbow motif in the Lisu people's symbols, the ceremonial building form embodies the cultural totems of the region. The arrival of this new bookstore infuses the tranquil village with a renewed vibrancy.

Three bookstores, with different local contexts, symbolize the rebirth of three regions. Modern echoes traverse the valleys and landscapes, interlacing different discourses. Our cultural renaissance is unfolding. We are still actively seeking the next slumbering village, hoping that our calls will awaken a response.

Main image: The bookstore in the paddy fields, Xiadi Paddy Field Bookstore of Librairie Avant-Garde, Xiadi Village, Pingnan, Fujian, China, 2019, HUA Li/TAO. Photo © CHEN Hao