Maintaining Historical Value in Jingde Shuijie Street Revitalization

In Jingde County, Xuancheng City, Anhui Province, China, there is a historical settlement with typical wooden structures in Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture with the addition of several structures that stood after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Side-by-side with the Huishui River, this settlement will become part of a commercial pedestrian area as a leisure and tourism area.

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The planning and design process begins with thorough research on the condition of the existing building and its functional relationship with current conditions. So, the process includes renovation, reconstruction, and demolition.

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The layout of this settlement uses the 'sponge' concept, shops and courtyards are arranged alternately. The two roads flanking this settlement are integrated into a pedestrian and riverside path. A green element in the form of a garden is placed in the gap between buildings to connect the new and old buildings, turning a passive corner into a more calming experience. The commercial pathway was extended to the existing building by adding a one-story platform, creating a multi-dimensional pathway. The elevation difference of this path defines the view of the Huishui River in traditional settlements. There are two well-preserved courtyards at either end of the settlement, serving as starting points and spatial nodes for the neighborhood. The application of a series of courtyards, platforms, and covered corridors form a flowing three-dimensional public space.

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The construction strategy was to restore the existing building and replace the wooden structure while maintaining its original shape. Other building components such as stairs, doors, and windows were renewed and strengthened while maintaining the original dimensions and construction methods. The facade will undergo strengthening and repair using traditional materials and typical Huizhou architecture to display historical memory in the building. New buildings and components added to existing buildings intend to achieve harmony with the old architecture in the context of scale, color, and materials with a modern interpretation of traditional architectural language.

The facade repair using traditional materials and typical Huizhou architecture (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

New buildings and components added to existing buildings intend to achieve harmony with the old architecture (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

New buildings and components added to existing buildings intend to achieve harmony with the old architecture (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

Although the Jingde Shuijie settlement was an ordinary residence in the past and did not have cultural heritage status, this revitalization by RAW Architecture Studio introduced new functions to the Jingde County settlement and restored historical components that provide a diverse range of spatial and visual experiences.

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street by RAW Architecture Studio (cr: RAW Architecture Studio) 

The revitalization of Jingde Shuijie Street (sketch) by RAW Architecture Studio (cr: RAW Architecture Studio)