A client from South America commissioned us to restore her ancestral home. Before his passing, her father expressed a strong wish to have this family residence repaired. As a child, she felt protected by her father, and now she aspires to use this home to protect his memory. The design philosophy of this project follows a journey: beginning with functionality, evolving into architectural form, and ultimately returning to functionality.
This design concept (also a BIM learning process) starts with functionality, transitions through the building’s form, and ultimately circles back to functionality.
Design Inspiration: The building’s creative outline is inspired by the word “guardian.” It uses the imagery of hands to form a semi-enclosed shape for the structure. This approach creates a meaningful dialogue between the traditional courtyard gate and the new architectural outline—transcending both time and space.
The courtyard wall features a solar lighting system that automatically illuminates at sunset. This lighting welcomes children returning home while also compensating for the village’s limited street lighting, ensuring safe passage for pedestrians.
A Mount Taishan stone was split into two parts for this project: the larger piece remains outdoors, while the smaller one is placed inside the ancestral hall, serving as a visual screen.
Since the client lives abroad year-round, the building is defined as a vacation villa. Unlike typical vacation homes, this villa includes a temple. Beyond serving as a place of worship, it preserves the memories of the old house. In time, antique furniture and cherished objects will be collected and displayed here, transforming the space into a family museum.
The reconstructed residence serves multiple purposes: living quarters, family gatherings, and children’s activities. Our goal is to create a space that holds memories, offers comfort, and fosters ongoing growth.
Stairs
Living Room
Chandelier
Other Indoor Spaces
Project Drawings
Ground Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Axonometric Drawing
Project Details
Architect: DOES Design Firm
Location: Ancestral Residence of Tongxin Village, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
Project Type: Renovation
Lead Designer: Wang Shuai
Project Team: Xu Wanlun, Du Mengcheng, Lv Xiangwei, Xu Huilong, Zhao Wei
Construction Company: Nanjing Deis Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Building Area: 405.0 m²
Year Completed: 2018
Photography: CreatAR Images
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