Qi’ao Village Historical Museum

Qi‘ao Island, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Year: 2021-2022

BUA: 366m²

This architectural proposal reinterprets the essence of traditional Chinese residential design through the lens of the "Si Shui Gui Tang" (四水归堂) courtyard typology—a spatial and spiritual framework rooted in the harmonious convergence of nature, family, and cultural memory. The design begins by embracing the remnants of the site’s past: crumbling walls of blue bricks, rough-hewn stones, and weathered beams etched with faint traces of ancient carvings and paintings. These fragments, though worn by time, are the soul of the historic village—a testament to resilience and collective memory.

The new structure is anchored by a modernist reinterpretation of the traditional courtyard layout, where textured cement bricks and glass blocks are layered directly atop the preserved ruins. This dialogue between old and new becomes a metaphor for continuity: as rainwater cascades over the raw concrete surfaces, it will carve organic patterns over time, allowing the building to age gracefully alongside its historical foundations. The juxtaposition of rugged textures and translucent materials softens the architecture’s presence, enabling it to humbly merge with the village’s timeworn fabric.

Beneath its austere exterior lies an unwavering commitment to tradition. The design subtly embeds Chinese architectural principles—such as axial symmetry, hierarchical spatial progression, and the interplay of solid and void—into a contemporary form. Through this synthesis, the building transcends mere functionality to become an emotional vessel: a quiet guardian of heritage that speaks to both the fragility and enduring spirit of the past.

In essence, this project is not just a physical structure but a narrative of rebirth—a bridge between eras where history is not erased but reawakened through the language of architecture.

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