Conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings
For Fujian Tulou, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China (l-r): Laura Viscovich, Executive Director, Holcim Foundation; Manit Rastogi (Chair of Jury), Founding Partner of Morphogenesis, India; Tiantian Xu and Weina Wang DnA_Design and Architecture, China; and Priya Pawar, Program Manager – Holcim Awards, Holcim Foundation.
Presenting the Holcim Awards 2023 Gold winner for Asia Pacific - Fujian Tulou in China.
Qifeng Tulou: for the space program and function, the top floor retains the function of collective residences, while the first and second floors are planned to accommodate the cultural, catering, and other tourism services. The partially collapsed part of the tulou’s entrance will be developed into a viewing platform to enjoy the scenery, and is intended to be a public space shared by the host and guests.
The project defines a conservation approach through adaptive reuse and proposes a prototypical framework for giving new value to tulou structures that are not already protected by a World Heritage covenant.
By Tiantian Xu - DnA_Design and Architecture, Beijing, China
A tulou is a typical traditional building typology in the mountain valleys of China’s Fujian Province. Built between the 15th and 20th centuries, the circular or square multi-level fortresses served both as a defensive structure and collective housing, each for a clan of up to 800 people. UNESCO listed 46 Fujian Tulou buildings as World Heritage Sites in 2008, but thousands more in the region are left unattended, vacant, or abandoned. The project defines a conservation approach through adaptive reuse and proposes a prototypical approach for giving new value to tulou structures that are not already protected by a World Heritage covenant.
Project authors
DnA_Design and Architecture
China
The approach aims to improve living conditions in buildings that are still inhabited by the indigenous community, and transform vacant buildings for other uses that restore identity and create fresh social and economic potential. The adaptations include a community theater for village opera performances and workshops (Shengping); a facility for agricultural production (Qifeng); a library (Binyang); and rammed-earth education workshop (Huoshao), for example.
By introducing fresh cultural and educational programs that are beneficial for the architectural heritage of the village and of its inhabitants, the architect refrains from a philological building restoration approach to advocate for a new building typology based on the tulou’s morphological characteristics. The existing voids are now used as terraces, courtyards and gardens that showcase how the vernacular typology of the tulou can be adapted to contemporary contexts and requirements that extend the impressive life cycle of the buildings and enshrine circular material flows.
Project Status: Under construction since January 2023.
An exemplary model for building conservation initiatives that advocates for a re-evaluation of the significance of existing vernacular structures - favoring repurposing over demolition. Holcim Awards 2023 jury for Asia Pacific
Presenting the Holcim Awards 2023 Gold winner for Asia Pacific - Fujian Tulou in China.
Architect, DnA_Design and Architecture
China
The Holcim Awards 2023 jury for Asia Pacific considered this design project as an exemplary model for building conservation initiatives. They particularly valued the project's role in advocating for a re-evaluation of the significance of existing vernacular structures, favoring repurposing over demolition. Within the project’s core strength, the jury acknowledged the architect’s deep cultural insight, which translated into an innovative, community-focused program-driven strategy for adaptive reuse. The jury welcomed the project’s noteworthy expansion of purpose, moving beyond social housing to encompass contemporary public amenities and community centers. This comprehensive approach not only revitalizes rural villages but also establishes fresh social and economic prospects, renewing the identity of these areas.
Overall, the innovative nature of the program-based strategy for adaptive reuse of Tulou buildings was highly appreciated by the jury, as it was seen as transformative and transferrable to other regions across the world. Additionally, the jury found the project’s sustainability benchmarks to underscore its excellence, showcasing the author’s unwavering dedication to sustainable practices.
Architecture Hunter speaks with Tiantian Xu from DnA_Design and Architecture – and Holcim Awards 2023 Gold winner for Asia Pacific. The Fujian Tulou in China project designs a program of adaptive reuse for each vacant Tulou building.
Interview
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Holcim Awards Webinar Series
Zürich, Switzerland
Holcim Awards 2023
Venice, Italy
Holcim Awards
Zürich, Switzerland
Heritage and Tradition
Heritage and Tradition
Architecture is like acupuncture, and should focus on overall wellbeing
Architecture is like acupuncture, and should focus on overall wellbeing
Tiantian Xu – Holcim Awards Gold winner for Asia Pacific speaks with Architecture Hunter
Tiantian Xu – Holcim Awards Gold winner for Asia Pacific speaks with Architecture Hunter
Architecture Hunter introduces the Holcim Awards 2023
Architecture Hunter introduces the Holcim Awards 2023
Holcim Awards 2023 prize announcement - Fujian Tulou
Holcim Awards 2023 prize announcement - Fujian Tulou
