Urban and Rural Context
Xiangyang Village, located in Jiading District, lies at the westernmost edge of Shanghai, bordering Kunshan City in Jiangsu Province. This unique boundary setting allows Xiangyang Village to preserve vast expanses of open farmland and natural resources. Just across the street from the Jiangsu border, the landscape transforms into a highly urbanized environment due to its close proximity to Shanghai.
In 2018, Xiangyang Village was selected as one of Shanghai’s nine pilot villages for rural revitalization and recognized as one of the city’s ten beautiful rural boutique villages. As a typical “urban edge village” within Shanghai’s distinctive industrial zones, it embarked on a new phase of development. Fengmao Architecture was commissioned by Xiangyang Village and Vanke to lead a collaborative effort with Yeshi Architecture, Misi Architecture, and Hongxin Chuangmeng. Together, they completed five buildings across three key nodes: a reception center, farmhouse, village commercial center, maker office, and agricultural exhibition experience hall. The project’s overall structure is defined by an interplay of lines and surfaces.
Interior Design
The renovated rice drying factory, designed by Fengmao Architecture, stands at the heart of a vast wheat field and is the tallest, most prominent structure in the village. This facility has long been an essential part of Xiangyang Village’s agricultural activities. As a standard agricultural building, its internal layout is directly tied to its functional use, showcasing a grand interior space with hallmark features of modernist architecture.
The renovation began with a careful cleaning of the original interior and exterior facade, ensuring the rice drying function remained fully operational. A continuous skin now envelops the exterior, guiding visitors from the ground level up to the roof via stairs and a spacious viewing platform. This design not only creates a dynamic activity space but also offers panoramic views of the farmland framed against the city skyline.
▲ Conceptual analysis
Heavy and Lightweight Contrast
To create a visually lightweight dialogue between the public stair platform and the original building, the structural design carefully balanced the robustness of the existing structure, rural construction technology constraints, and ease of installation. The final solution employed a herringbone steel support system featuring two sets of V-shaped supports combined with two continuous surface elements, achieving an elegant floating effect.
▲ Model
▲ Structural diagram analysis
▲ Construction method of anti-corrosion wood roof
This renovation aims to offer a visual landmark and a gathering space for farmers, integrating seamlessly with their daily activities. It serves as a catalyst for the ongoing beautification and revitalization of the rural community.
Project Information
Design Company: Fengmao Architectural Design (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Location: Xiangyang Village, Jiading District, Shanghai, China
Category: Renovation Project
Lead Architect: Wang Jianfeng
Design Team: Wang Jianfeng, Nico (BIM Engineer), Willy Leferink, Cao Zhenghua, Wang Haoda, Xie Lijuan
Structural Engineer: Shanghai Yuangui Architectural Structural Design Firm
Client: Shanghai Tingwan Enterprise Management Co., Ltd
Building Area: 780 m²
Completion Year: 2019
Photography: Wu Qingshan
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