Memories of Sericulture
This project is located in Hushuguan Town, a historically significant town in Jiangnan. Positioned northwest of Suzhou City and northeast of Nanyang Mountain, Hushuguan has a rich heritage in sericulture. According to the “Wu County Annals” from the Republic of China era, “Xiangliu planted mulberry trees and raised silkworms, and today there remain ten acres of idle fields.” In the first year of Xuantong, the Jiangsu Consultative Bureau established the Jiangsu Provincial Women’s Sericulture School in Hushuguan, which later evolved into the Jiangsu Silk Industry School. During this period, mulberry cultivation, silkworm breeding, and silk weaving thrived nationwide.
Over time, the Silk Industry School, a key institution in modern sericulture and silk production, was integrated into Suzhou University. As silk production declined in Hushuguan, we chose to design a cultural and sports center that honors its illustrious Silk Age history. By thoughtfully translating and reconstructing architectural spaces, materials, and technologies, the design aims to harmonize with urban traditions and cultural sentiments, reviving the lost history of Hushuguan.
A Dialogue Between Memory and Modernity
The architect designed a highly flexible, silk-inspired exterior for the cultural and sports center, which seamlessly connects two distinct building units while creating a public open space at its core. The outer layer predominantly features thin, lightweight perforated metal panels, symbolizing the rapid development of the Hushuguan Economic Development Zone today. This flexible form and delicate texture evoke the renowned silk heritage of Hushuguan. The design strikes a balance between modernity and locality, making the building both legible and meaningful within its urban context.
Community and Emotional Connection
Drawing inspiration from ancient Greek urban planning, where public spaces were prioritized—leveled, paved, and surrounded by public buildings such as temples, markets, and shops—this project creates a two-tiered public space enclosed by a soft outer skin. This space not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the community but also fosters unobstructed daily interactions and communal activities. Far from being a mere technological showcase or commercial hub, it serves as a modern “Athenian Agora,” dedicated to nurturing citizens’ emotions, inviting participation, encouraging shared experiences, and cultivating a vibrant community culture.
Structure as Art
The subtle aesthetics experienced indoors reflect the designers’ cultural understanding and refined taste. Careful integration of the roof’s load-bearing components with the building’s form addresses the tension between aesthetic aspirations and structural requirements. A skylight beneath the pipe truss enhances the overall structure, optimizes daylighting for energy efficiency, and offers users a unique framed view of the sky, enriching their experience.
Technical Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ South and North Elevations
Project Information
Project Name: Searching for Lost Memories: Xushuguan Cultural and Sports Center
Designer: Zhongheng Design Group Co., Ltd
Company Website: http://www.artsgroup.cn/
Project Contact: marketing@artsgroup.cn
Document Contact: tanglanke@artsgroup.cn
Design & Completion Year: 2016 & 2018
Lead Architect: Ping Jiahua and team
Project Location: Suzhou Hushuguan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Hufan Road South, Wenchang Garden North
Floor Area: 21,851.8㎡
Client: Suzhou Dayangshan Ecotourism Development Co., Ltd
Photographer: Qin Wei
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