Implementing beautiful countryside initiatives aims to enhance the environmental aesthetics of towns and streets across the region.
The township government is committed to renovating old village buildings with minimal costs, ensuring these historic houses remain vital parts of the community and serve as companions to the village’s heritage.
Revitalizing these old houses not only creates new value aligned with modern rural development needs but also preserves the vibrancy of traditional villages.
Bulu Township · Meihu
Bulu Township lies seven kilometers from the city gate of Xianju County, with the Yong’an River—an upper tributary of the Lingjiang River—meandering along its northern border. The name “Bu Lu” stems from its location, surrounded by mountains and positioned at the mouth of a canyon extending over a hundred miles deep. Historically, a stone-lined road served as a vital passage for mountain residents traveling to the county town, giving rise to the name “Bu Lu Village”.
Though the village’s scale is modest, Bulu Township is characterized by mountainous terrain and a mix of development forms typical of contemporary townships. The newly constructed market town stands alongside the old village, creating a contrasting landscape. Centered around Meihu, the new market town street runs along the township road’s west side, while the old village cluster is situated to the east. Most villagers have relocated from the old village to the market town. Consequently, the old village has rapidly deteriorated and is nearing abandonment, with only a few elderly residents remaining.
During on-site research, several community needs became apparent: children lack after-school activity spaces; villagers have limited leisure and social areas; and the local intangible cultural heritage of Paper Cuttings art lacks a dedicated workshop and exhibition venue. To address these, two buildings near Meihu Lake were selected for renovation. The goal is to serve the needs of Bulu Township while integrating these structures into village life, creating distinctive landmarks along the Meihu Lake shore and the planned main lakeside road.
Demolition and Reconstruction
Like many rural areas today, Bulu Township is undergoing comprehensive planning and upgrades: road leveling, pipeline management, environmental improvements, and facade repairs. In alignment with the “beautiful countryside” policy, the village is advancing projects step by step. The township government prioritizes environmental enhancements, investing heavily in municipal infrastructure to lay a solid foundation for rural development.
Attention is now turning to aging buildings that require urgent renovation. Constructing non-profit public spaces presents challenges for rural administrations, which must balance minimal costs with effective repairs to rejuvenate old houses and breathe new life into the village.
▲ Site photos before renovation
Considering the site conditions and budget constraints, two representative buildings were chosen for renovation. The “old building” designated for the Paper Cuttings art shop is actually a recently rebuilt courtyard that remains underutilized and requires further repairs to maximize previous investments within budget limits. The other building, a book bar, is situated at a key lakeside street corner along the main village transit route. This location allows easy access for villagers to read, enjoy tea, relax, and socialize.
Paper Cuttings Workshop
▲ Before renovation
▲ After renovation
The Paper Cuttings art house is a brick-and-wood mixed structure with a deep, irregular front yard. Its courtyard wall borders Meihu Lake but remains isolated. As the home of Bulu Township’s intangible cultural heritage, this building not only stores traditional materials but also showcases local Paper Cuttings art, embraces Meihu Lake’s scenic beauty, and invites community engagement.
The design breaks the original closed courtyard walls, introducing a silhouette effect by filtering views through grilles. From the courtyard, visitors enjoy lake views and can glimpse activity on the opposite bank. The courtyard divides into a front yard and back courtyard, with the Paper Cuttings exhibition hall positioned centrally, extending towards the lake as a symbolic gesture of openness.
A bench at the junction of the exhibition pavilion and courtyard wall offers a resting spot where visitors can enjoy the lake’s scenery. Visitors pass through both courtyards before entering the artist’s studio, experiencing shifting visual impressions created by rotating elevation grids—mimicking the narrative of Paper Cuttings art and providing insight into local styles and techniques.
▲ Axonometric diagram
▲ Floor plan and circulation
The flow through the front yard, exhibition pavilion, courtyard, and workshop transforms the originally closed courtyard into a layered and dynamic space. This adds narrative depth and vitality, making the workshop not only a place for displaying Paper Cuttings but also a vibrant part of daily life.
▲ Views along the lake
▲ Bench facing Meihu Lake on the courtyard wall
▲ View from entrance to courtyard
▲ Interior layout
Companion Lake Book Bar
▲ Before renovation
▲ After renovation
The old house transformed into a bookstore is relatively aged, with parts of its traditional wooden beam structure becoming unstable. The renovation focused on recycling materials and structural reinforcement. The building spans three floors, accessible by stairs, with windows at varying heights on different facades offering diverse views of Meihu Lake and Bulu Old Street.
The name “Companion” reflects the intention to provide a welcoming space for villagers, reviving this vacant building as a place of community gathering. Half of the existing walls were dismantled to form the foundation, while the aging wooden structures were replaced upwards. Modern window designs blend contemporary life with traditional architecture, creating rich spatial experiences and multiple perspectives of the lake through thoughtfully designed paths and stairs.
Surrounding Meihu Lake, the shifting views between town and old village evoke memories and encourage villagers to reconnect with their heritage. This bookstore stands as a symbol of new life amid ruins, reminding residents not to forget the beauty and poetry of rural living even as urbanization advances. It aims to reactivate and establish the local aesthetic character.
▲ Axonometric diagram
▲ Visual analysis
▲ Book Bar floor plan
The first floor fosters public leisure with a tea room designed for small gatherings. The second floor hosts a centralized reading area, providing a quiet atmosphere ideal for study. The attic third floor is dedicated to children’s books, offering age-appropriate spaces for all.
The Banhu Book Bar truly provides companionship and care to Bulu’s rural residents, establishing itself as a community cornerstone.
▲ Overall model of Banhu Book Bar
▲ Book Bar layout and relationship with Meihu Lake
Afterword: Renovating rural buildings always carries the charm of primitive nature—natural landscapes, local materials, and simple craftsmanship imbue each project with authentic local flavor. Overly urbanized approaches can sometimes feel out of place in rural settings. Economic feasibility is a key concern for villagers, who value renovations that cost tens of thousands of yuan rather than expensive, large-scale projects that seem impractical and invite criticism.
While villagers sometimes embrace modern trends, they also deeply appreciate the beauty of their hometown. Simple materials such as raw stone, mud, rough steel, and timber are easier for them to accept.
Managing access remains a challenge: rural communities traditionally leave doors unlocked, unlike urban areas. Closing off spaces can alienate villagers, as public places feel unfamiliar when restricted. Long-term closures hinder integration into village life. Whether architecture serves the public or private interest is a shared question for both villagers and rural planners.
▲ Construction process
Drawings and Details
Project Information
Project Name: Paper Cuttings Art Shop (New Building in Laomei Lake); Companion Lake Book Bar
Design Firm: Hangzhou Senshang Architectural Design
Official Website: www.senshangsheji.com
Contact Information: __AI_S_SC0__
Main Design Team: Zhang Juntian, Sun Hongfei
Client: Bu Lu Township Government
Location: Xianju, Zhejiang
Completion Date: January 2019
Building Area: 600 square meters
Main Materials: Steel, solid wood, green brick
Photography: Qiu Ripei
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