▲ Aerial view © Zhuo Yuxing
The Pioneer Xiadi Shuitian Bookstore is situated on the northern edge of Xiadi Ancient Village in Pingnan, Fujian, surrounded by expansive paddy fields. The building’s predecessor was an abandoned local residence, of which only three intact rammed earth walls and a broken courtyard wall remained when the architects arrived.
▲ Original state of the site
▲ Original rammed earth wall structure
Respecting the site’s history and the village’s overall landscape, the new construction is mostly concealed within the existing old walls, preserving the external appearance as if nothing has changed. The remaining ancient walls serve as containers enclosing new concrete and steel structures, creating a harmonious dialogue between contemporary design and traditional architecture.
▲ General layout plan
▲ Site analysis sketch
▲ 1:25 Scale model of the final design
▲ Bookstore vision © Chen Hao
▲ Bookstore in the paddy fields and close-up details © Chen Hao
▲ Entrance courtyard © Chen Hao
Inside, two folded concrete walls form the main structural core. Two cantilevered floor slabs extend towards the wings, connecting with the rammed earth walls at the corners, which stabilizes the old structure. Where the slabs detach from the walls, skylights allow natural light to filter in. Between the earthen and concrete walls lies an enclosed bookstore display area, while the largest interior space—a small theater—is located between the two concrete walls, offering a surprising discovery beyond an intimate space.
▲ Section sketch © Huali
▲ Short and long profile models
▲ Entrance © Chen Hao
▲ Staircase leading to the second floor © Chen Hao
▲ Central pillar © Chen Hao
▲ Central space on the second floor © Chen Hao
▲ Gathering space © Chen Hao
▲ Gathering spaces © Chen Hao
▲ First floor reading area © Chen Hao
▲ Second floor reading area © Chen Hao
Natural light pours in through the skylight above, filtering through the gap between the curved floor slab and the rammed earth wall. This effect highlights the textured patina of the ancient earth walls at different moments. The concrete was cast using locally sourced carbonized pine wood from Pingnan as the mold, resulting in a rough yet delicate wood grain texture. This creates a tactile dialogue between the new concrete surfaces and the ancient mottled rammed earth walls.
▲ Second floor reading area © Chen Hao
▲ Second floor reading area © Chen Hao
▲ Gap between floor slab and rammed earth wall © Chen Hao
▲ Rammed earth wall under shifting light and shadow © Chen Hao
The westernmost cantilevered volume extends beyond the old wall enclosure, creating a three-sided coffee shop space that offers panoramic views of the village and surrounding paddy fields.
▲ Coffee shop © Chen Hao
▲ Coffee shop © Chen Hao
At the heart of the building, a steel column pierces through the concrete structure, supporting an umbrella-shaped roof above. This element references the vanished roof of the old house, while the shaded space beneath offers a cool, secluded pavilion-like retreat amidst the fields. The umbrella roof is cantilevered, with its load transmitted to the central steel column via the main beam, concentrating gravity at the building’s centroid. Four channel steel beams at the corners stabilize the roof laterally and channel rainwater to the inward-sloping concrete roof, directing it back to the center—an architectural interpretation of the traditional “four waters returning to the hall” concept.
▲ Sketch of the central column © Huali
▲ Central pillar © Chen Hao
▲ Second floor central space © Chen Hao
▲ Umbrella-shaped structure © Chen Hao
▲ Sketch of umbrella-shaped roof © Huali
▲ Roof mezzanine platform and umbrella structure © Chen Hao
▲ Roof mezzanine platform and umbrella structure © Chen Hao
▲ Roof mezzanine platform © Huali
▲ Roof mezzanine platform © Chen Hao
▲ Axonometric exploded view showing disassembly
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Sectional view
Project Information
Project Name: Pioneer Xiadi Shuitian Bookstore
Owner: Pioneer Bookstore
Location: Xiadi Village, Pingnan, Fujian
Project Features: Bookstore, Coffee Shop
Design Firm: TAO Architectural Firm
Lead Architect: Hua Li
Design Team: Huali, Li Ruoxin, Zhai Dongyuan, Cheng Xiangju
Structural Engineers: Ma Zhigang, Zhang Suiping
Mechanical and Electrical Design: Lv Jianjun, kcain Carlin, Li Xin, Zhao Zirui, Li Wei
Construction Team: Zhuo Yijiu, Zheng Jialiang, Gan Zhenqin, Zheng Debu, Zheng Zhongchun, Zheng Delu and local craftsmen
Building Area: 397.3 square meters
Structural System: Reinforced concrete and steel structure
Design Period: March 2019 to June 2019
Construction Period: July 2019 to October 2019
Photography: Chen Hao, Zhuo Yuxing
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up