We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Ziye Wu about their original and creative Renovation design work. Ziye Wu is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original renovation works.
Ziye Wu ("ZW") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Jiangshan Fishing Village Renovation. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ZW : Keeping the maximum original form of old house, the design breaks the closed functional space, integrates the indoors and outdoors, emphasizes the construction contracts between the old and new, and breaks the limit of material application. It blends several contradictions but it finally become a logical work from concept to design and construction.
ZW : The design keeps the rare existing old houses, brings about the necessary public activity space, so as to present the charm and characteristics of the transformed old house to the local residence.
ZW : Based on the feedback village renovation practice, we plan to continue our practice on this field. In the same time, we’ll try digitized wood architecture in some small public architecture, as well as modularization space reconstruction based on 3D printing.
ZW : It took about a month to design an object from beginning to end.
ZW : Were commissioned by the Jiangshan Fishing Village in Gaochun of Nanjing to meet the basic needs of indigenous peoples for modern functions and cultural life, and formulated a rural renewal plan.
ZW : We design the project all by our team.
ZW : Through a consistent treatment on function, space, material and structure, the design expresses the contradiction of the old and new parts. It has changed the villagers’ stereotypes on old house.
ZW : It is the first project by Mix Architecture, which is an urban renovation project located in Nanjing. The original building is an abandoned building with only the concrete structure. We finally made it a show center of a commercial residential project.
ZW : The target customers are the local villagers.
ZW : Mirror surface is used on the connection between the old and new materials, which fulfill the idea of contrast and boundlessness of the old and new in space experience and design logic. It presents a good result at last.
ZW : The name is based on the project location and project type.
ZW : Most are traditional tools like AutoCAD, Sketch up, Rhino and handmade model.
ZW : It has a social impacts on the village renewal plan in China, which makes it special.
ZW : I worked with my team members of Mix Architecture.
ZW : Technology makes the design more effective.
ZW : We are inclined to study the traditional and local materials and technology. We tried to use traditional materials in a new way.
ZW : Actually, when we take over the mapping, the old house has been renovated once simply. Some old roof truss and components have been changed or destroyed. So the biggest challenge is to restore the original structure, which is a basis to show the difference between the old and new part.
ZW : It is a way to make it known for more people, and wining the award is an encouragement to us.
ZW : We focus more on interaction, experience, the logic of construction and the true express of material. And simplify problem is vital in design.
ZW : Thanks to the recognition from A' Design Award & Competition. It is a great encouragement to our studio as a platinum award winner. It will encourage us to make more exploration in design in the future.
