Heritage Unfold
It has not been easy path to be the architect of the Jinhua 1958 Cultural District, as the project carries so much memories and emotions for the local people of Suining. On one hand, we have to respect the history of the project. But on the other hand, we need to question ourselves what is there worthwhile to keep? Although these factories are important to the people in Suining, but we do need to think in a wider perspective. What about the visitors from other places outside Suining? Why would they be attracted to go here?
Our conclusion is that if we just retain and refurbish the existing factories to its complete original state, it is not enough to create a destination for visitors from other places outside Suining. Therefore, we have to introduce new architectural elements, that will create contrasts to the existing fabric and raise interests from the visitors. By unfolding the heritage and finding the right chemistry between the new and the old, that will create the right atmosphere for the cultural village.

Preserving the Industrial Character of the Spaces

With the historical significance of the factories and the elegance of the existing building mass and volumes allow us room to rethink its purpose as a second life as a cultural village. Straddling between culture and learning, it creates strong links with the local community.  The existing factories allow old and new to collide not, but are integrated into the building naturally creating a contemporary public space without diminishing the historical presence of the building. 

For us, the spaces were always there, our work is to showcase the beauty of these spaces to the world. As such, all the interior of these spaces has been reinvented and redesigned but the old and new components are interrelated in tune with each other in such a way as to be almost indistinguishable. As a result, a layer of sophistication has been added to the original urban grain creating a new lease of life to the cluster of abandoned factory building destined for an urban revival.

https://www.thequadstudio.com/heritage-unfold.html