Shaoxing Huangjiu boasts a rich history, with its Huangjiu culture deeply embedded in the local heritage. This project is located in Dongpu Town, historically the heart of Shaoxing’s brewing industry. It is famously said, “Old Shaoxing wine comes from Dongpu, and the aroma can be smelled ten miles away.” The site originally housed a workshop producing yellow wine and still retains a red brick chimney as a reminder of its past.
Initially, the building served as a Shaoxing yellow wine exhibition and experience hall, featuring spaces for cultural exhibitions, a bookstore, and a flower shop. Moving forward, it will be transformed into a waterfront commercial complex housing three restaurants and a bookstore.
The site is surrounded by an intricate network of waterways, which historically served as transportation routes for Shaoxing. It faces the Dashu River to the east, offering excellent scenic views. The three-story building is designed to step back gradually from south to north, creating multiple rooftop terraces overlooking the river—ideal for future restaurant spaces.
On the riverfront, a shaded outdoor area extends from the ground floor, acting as a transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design blurs boundaries and provides a direct connection to the water’s edge.
△ Original condition of the road
△ Original condition of the site
△ Original condition of the site
△ Original vegetation
△ Original vegetation
Because the building’s function will evolve over time and to avoid extensive demolition and renovation, flexibility and adaptability in the spatial layout are crucial. Inspired by the versatility of traditional timber frames and Domino building systems, the design adopts a vertical grid module of 4.8m x 4.8m x 4.8m as the fundamental building unit.
This modular system accommodates various space requirements—exhibition halls, retail spaces, restaurants, restrooms, and elevator lobbies—while enabling higher interior ceiling heights within smaller spans. This ensures both an immersive display experience and efficient commercial operations.
The modular units align perfectly with the building’s form and façade, creating a distinctive architectural character. An additional framing layer on the exterior walls allows the interior spaces to recess, producing a deep, layered façade inspired by the sunshades of traditional Jiangnan detached windows, enhancing depth and texture.
This modular approach ensures rapid prefabrication and assembly, which is essential for timely construction and budget control. Initially, a wooden structure was considered. However, due to strict fire safety regulations, the humid Jiangnan climate, and maintenance concerns, the design shifted towards a more efficient and manageable steel frame structure.
After thorough material research, recycled bamboo and wood were chosen for the exterior wall cladding. These materials offer easy sourcing, simple processing, and are environmentally friendly. Factory-prepared L-shaped bamboo and wood panels minimize onsite assembly and joint treatment, speeding up construction and improving installation precision.
The warm tones of the wood, combined with the small modular units, create an inviting, approachable, and lively waterfront open space.
This project represents the design team’s exploration of modular design and construction, drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture while addressing complex functional demands through a unified modular language. It respects the site’s history and breathes new life into this ancient town, ensuring that Huangjiu culture continues to thrive vividly.
Project Drawings
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ Model Diagram
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Generation Diagram
△ Detailed Wall Section
Project Information
Architectural Design: Gad
Area: 2113 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photography: YAOLI STUDIO
Manufacturers: Moso Bamboo www.moso-bambao.com, MOSO Elite Paviento, Qibin Glass, Feihu Teslin
Project Director: Zhang Wei
Project Creator: Wu Kesuo
Architectural Design Team: Wang Yiran, Sun Xiaoyu, Ma Chenglong, Cai Hengyi, Yang Fangyuan, An Yuxin
Structural Design: Sun Dianyu
Water Supply and Drainage Design: Zhang Lian, Huang Qi
HVAC Design: Li Fangfang
Electrical Design: Chen Guoping
Owner: Rongchuang China Southeast Group Zhejiang Branch
Lighting Design: BPI Bi Pu Lighting Design Company
Interior Design: Interior Architecture
Landscape Design: Guangzhou Guanji Landscape Design
Construction Drawing Design: Gad
Curtain Wall Design: Classic Decoration
Location: Shaoxing, China
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