HOME AT THE FOOT OF MOUNTAIN-A VILLAGE CULTURAL CENTER

Nestled in Songyang County, Lishui—a region celebrated for preserving China’s rural heritage—Shanxia Yang Village features historic Ming

Qing architecture, “horse-head” gables, and a distinctive layout centered around the Moon Pond.

The village cultural center embodies a “two-way journey,” serving as both a home for villagers and a spiritual sanctuary for visitors. The design revives old dwellings while honoring local heritage. Three spatial axes directed toward key landmarks organize the plan, with building volumes clustered around the Visitor Center. Inspired by local gables and lanes, screen walls create layered routes and frame views of the Moon Pond, blending old and new. Traditional pitched roofs are reinterpreted, and a rooftop platform overlooks the ancient village—expressing “Nostalgia Made Visible.”

Through recurring cultural activities—tea festivals, design workshops, and study forums—the project builds shared memories, transforming architecture into a living “spiritual home.” It forges sustainable connections between villagers and visitors, supporting local culture and livelihoods.

The center demonstrates how rural heritage can thrive through thoughtful intervention—a place where tradition and modernity meet in meaningful exchange.