• 1 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Siteplan of regeneration design (Plot ratio of conservation area is 0.38 while the one of coordination area is 1.02 after design.)

  • 2 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Process of the creation of the regeneration idea (The fi nal siteplan contains historical information of different period.)

  • 3 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: The pedigree of Clan Lai

  • 4 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: The site and its environment

  • 5 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Status of physical environment

  • 6 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Living status of resident

  • 7 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Modification of Ze Street

  • 8 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Restoration of one clan house

  • 9 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Modification of Changhe Cinema

  • 10 / 11

    Rather than demolishing the old substance, thus complying with so-called tabula rasa urbanism, the project combines preservation, remodeling, and new construction to meet contemporary lifestyle demands.

  • 11 / 11

    Project entry 2005 Design for a Clan Settlement's Regeneration, Hangzhou, China: Author portrait

How does one merge the old with the new? This entry brings us to the city of Hangzhou in China. It is an urban conservation and regeneration project working with the historic fabric of an existing neighborhood. Rather than demolishing the old substance, thus complying with so-called tabula rasa urbanism, the project combines preservation, remodeling, and new construction to meet contemporary lifestyle demands. Part of the undertaking also involves the introduction of public functions to existing landmark buildings.

Last updated: April 07, 2005 Hangzhou, China

The proposal demonstrates how old and new can coexist, countering the modern dictum to erase the past. The project also addresses the importance of integrating extended families within a design that is sensitive to their diverse needs. The technique of layering is skillfully applied to form a complex texture of traditional and contemporary spaces. An understanding of the city evolving over time is central to the scheme.