03 | The rebirth of Yucun Square

Reconstruction design of square and surrounding buildings

Mogan Mountain has been a summer resort since ancient times, and the tourism industry has developed vigorously, which has spawned a large number of related industries in the town. There are local residents behind the main tourist street and on the north and south sides. Yucun Square is located in the only way to enter the scenic spot. The project plans to update the overall design of Yucun Square and surrounding buildings. What kind of role does this land play in such a tourist town with wild environment and mixed foreign and local population is appropriate for its long-term development? What kind of behavior and place will it lead to?

Through research and analysis, I tried to find a reasonable mode of site use. After experiencing the site in person, I hope that people's activities are still the main body of the site, and the emergence of large buildings may destroy this free space that can "breathe" in the town. Therefore, the concept of "site boundary design" is proposed, hoping to optimize the use function and site experience on the premise of preserving the atmosphere of the square itself, and finally, realize "the rebirth of Yucun Square".

Building and site reconstruction

Personal work

April,2022

Zhejiang, China

Instructor:Ting Zhang (ztzt@tongji.edu.cn)

Site location

The site is located in Moganshan Town, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Mogan Mountain is one of the four major summer resorts in China, attracting a large number of tourists from Shanghai and other surrounding provinces and cities. The site is located in the small square at the foot of Mogan Mountain, which is almost the only way up the mountain. The site and its surroundings also have a very rich historical background under the changes of years.

Historical development

Space evolution

Buildings in and around the site

Due to the development of tourism, Moganshan Town is currently roughly divided into tourist activity areas and local residents' activity areas. With the subsequent progress of "Fuxi Water Street Reconstruction Complex Project", the activity area of tourists will be strengthened and the regional division will be more obvious. The design takes this as the starting point to discuss how to eliminate this gap and achieve the purpose of effectively communicating the initial activities of the two groups in the design site.

Buildings in and around the site

Buildings in and around the site

Tea culture

Deqing County has a long history of tea production. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Lu Yu wrote the "Tea Book", which said, "South Zhejiang, on Huzhou,... produces Anji and Wukang valleys." In the early years of the Republic of China, Wukang County, which had jurisdiction over Qiantang Road, belonged to Longjing Tea District. According to the Tea Overview of Hangzhou and Huzhou Districts in Zhejiang Province in the 19th year of the Republic of China, "the tea garden in Wukang County covers an area of 5000 mu, produces 100 tons of tea and is worth 60000 yuan."

In 1980, the first refined tea factory in the county was built in Yucun Village at the foot of Mogan Mountain, with a workshop of 2690 square meters, 44 permanent employees, 35 tea machines of various types, and 5480 tons of raw tea processed annually. By 1985, there were 69 primary tea plants and 1 refined tea plant in the county, with an annual processing capacity of 180000 tons of dry tea.

"Mogan Yellow Bud" Tea King Competition

Spring tea consists of bud tea, Maojian tea, Mingqian tea and Yuqian tea, among which Mingqian bud tea is the most worthy of careful taste. Therefore, in late spring and April every year, Moganshan will hold a grand Mogan Yellow Bud Tea King Competition, inviting people to enjoy tea.

Crowd activities

（Only in the peak tourist season

Small interview

As a person who has lived here for a long time and is also a professional architect, from your perspective, how do you view the current situation of Yucun Square and the problems that need to be solved most?

Based on the analysis of the site, the design idea of "site boundary design" is adopted to optimize, improve and supplement the existing functions of the site (and its surrounding areas) on the premise of preserving the positive commonality of the site.

1. On the premise that the surrounding industries are relatively perfect, the square space that can generate activities spontaneously has its uniqueness and value.

2. Optimize some "aimless spaces" into spaces with directional use function to solve the problem of negative use of site space in off-season.

3. Introduce more tourists and townspeople to the site, strengthen the vitality of the site, and provide the possibility of interaction between tourists and townspeople.

General layout

Lv Xiaohui (architect, founder of Xiaohui Studio): Over the years, have witnessed many changes in Yucun Square, which has gradually changed from primary school to its present appearance. In the peak season, you can see that the square is quite busy, but it lacks a reason to stop. It is too cold and clear in the off season. In terms of functions, the surrounding related industries have been relatively rich. You can think about how to achieve 1+1>2 in the superposition of industries.

Comparison of two site treatment methods

Site center design

Emphasize the value of the building itself

Unified functionality

Low relationship with surrounding buildings

Site center design

Building as the main body (Outdoor activity space is ancillary space)

Annular activity space

Human activities as the main body (Building space serves human activities)

Block active space Activate the linkage between the site and the surrounding space

Introduce people from the surrounding building space to the site

No emphasis on the value of the building itself

Diversified functions

High correlation with surrounding building functions

Site boundary design

Dismantle

Expansion of existing buildings

Library——Reading Room

Home Stay——Cafe

Sales——Lecture——(Adult education)

New functional buildings Teahouse buildings Bars

Group analysis: Library——Reading Room

Group analysis: Home Stay——Cafe

Along Main crowd Water platform

1. Home Stay 2. Coffee 3. Reading 4. Library 5. Lecture hall and sales 6. Adult education 7. Bar 8. Tea House First floor plan Second floor plan

As a reserved building on the square, the volume and function of the library make it more like a clock in object than a building with more practical functions. The design hopes to stimulate the usability of the library and become a place for people to stay through additional reading rooms and corridors. As it is close to the square entrance, it is hoped to make its overall atmosphere more transparent, not to suppress the preservation of buildings, but to produce more visual interweaving with the activities on the square.

1. Home Stay 2. Coffee 3. Reading 4. Library 5. Lecture hall and sales 6. Adult education 7. Bar 8. Tea House