atelier z+'s mixed space model at shenzhen biennale inspires community renovation

the latest edition of the bi-city biennale of urbanism and architecture in shenzhen, china regards urban village and the outcome of conflict and integration of urban and rural spaces. in the overlapping of urbanization from top to bottom and self-development from bottom to top, urban village becomes an unusual space — neither city nor village, as city and as village. this mixed space provides the more convenient, cheaper living space and service facilities for different communities. focusing on village as kitchen, atelier z+’s work is carried out in dameisha village, yantian district with a method of phenomenon observation and space intervention. this theme brings daily household activities such as food and cooking to public activities and communications among communities.

bird’s-eye view of the intervention presented by atelier z+

at the beginning of the design process, chinese based atelier z+ takes a particular interest in the following aspects. while artists and architects implant a temporary space phenomenon in urban village during the exhibition period, the project team suggests that it should also bring a long-lasting influence on community renovation, neighborhood interaction and community integration. the chinese group hopes that their space practice can be possible in both event and sustainable daily contexts. with the aforementioned aim and limited resources, atelier z+ proposes two characteristic private house spaces, integrating art areas with daily space. construction behavior is associated with the place, so that the building process can be embedded in its space-time frame. when the exhibition comes to an end, if these spaces can still operate in the long term, the publicity can also be arisen by villagers’ daily life, which will be a gracious process.

standing on the rooftop and looking towards the north — a complex city texture will unfold before your eyes

#3 children’s playing house is a ‘hakka’ old house first built in the 1970’s. after transformation, the house consists of an art exhibition space and a children participation space — these two spaces show a stack-up and sequenced relationship. the daily space arrangement is made up of a public courtyard, outdoor stairs, a second floor platform and a children participation space. a lightweight pergola of wood grid structure is designed additionally, where plants can be planted on it, and it can be used as a children climbing frame, visitors’ seat, as well as a separation of the large courtyard. the event space represented by the exhibition is located in the room on the first floor. at the same time, the daily experience space can also be combined with event activities. in the process of transformation, atelier z+ dismantles the original non-bearing walls at first and reveal the basic space structures, some of which are reserved and teased.

a panoramic view

#8 older’s overlooking house has been originally built in the 1980’s. after transformation, the house consists of an art exhibition space and a daily village community public space. these two areas show the relationship of surrounding and being surrounded. the daily space sequence is made up of a public courtyard, outdoor stairs, a tea room on the second floor and a stair theater on the roof deck. in order to create indoor light atmosphere, high skylights are installed in the roof deck on the first and second floor, and the roof slopes serve as rest steps and theater. these daily spaces can also be combined with event activities. the event spaces are an exhibition room on the first floor and an artist studio on the second floor, surrounding the public space.

bird’s-eye view of the children’s playing house

after the exhibition opens, with the rapid implantation of art exhibition, public activities, studio and other contents, atelier z+ observes that some space phenomenon is being stimulated. while government, owners, architects, artists, operators and others cooperate cross boundary, intense game for space power is generated. under this background, the chinese project team thinks that the heterogeneous space model formed by overlapping of different space types and demands may present more possibilities.

public courtyard

elevation view of the children’s playing house

bird’s-eye view at night

interior space on the first floor of the children’s playing house

interior space on the first floor of the older’s overlooking house

interior space on the second floor of the children’s playing house

interior space on the second floor of the older’s overlooking house

interior space on the second floor of the older’s overlooking house

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom