Aerial view of the renovated comprehensive health and wellness service center © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
△ The renovated comprehensive health and wellness service center © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
Health and Wellness Facilities + Urban Renewal
In early 2019, we began designing the “Weifang Zhongyi Blue City · Taohuayuan Health and Wellness Comprehensive Supporting Service Center.” The site left a lasting impression: located within the only national 3A-level Qinglong Lake scenic area in Anqiu City, Weifang, it boasts superior natural surroundings. However, the site contained five existing buildings originally used as research plants and offices, each at varying stages of completion—some only had main structures finished, while others had completed façades.
During construction, one building is situated at the highest point on the south side of the site © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
The project, located near Qinglong Lake scenic area, serves the entire health and wellness town © Qicheng Design
The client set two key requirements: first, to renovate existing buildings to create distinctive features while controlling costs; second, to establish the building as the main comprehensive facility for the health and wellness town, including functions such as Yile College, a town canteen, fitness center, nursing home, and other supporting services designed for continuous operation. The project’s challenge lies in blending health and wellness facilities with urban renewal — revitalizing the lives of the elderly by repurposing idle factories.
△ Factory building before renovation © provided by the owner
Factory building left idle immediately after completion © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
△ Health and wellness facilities in operation after renovation © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
Multi-Lane Corridor + Open Sharing
We began by renovating the largest building on site, spanning 15,000 square meters and positioned near the main urban road. Its massive 160-meter horizontal length posed a challenge. Our aim was to reduce the building’s bulk, making it engaging and inviting, even offering lake views to attract elderly users. This contrast between the front and back façades emerges as a key attraction.
△ Layout of health and wellness support functions © Qicheng Design
Given Anqiu’s favorable climate, with many sunny days and temperatures reaching about 20°C from March onwards, outdoor activities are ideal. Recognizing northern elderly residents’ habit of sunbathing in winter, we demolished the area above the second floor in the central building section. This created a more open space blending indoors and outdoors, effectively reducing the building’s perceived volume by one-third.
Partial demolition, addition of overpasses and ‘functional boxes’ © Qicheng Design
Inspired by the compound corridors in Yangzhou Heyuan, the empty central section was transformed into a wandering garden. Different “functional boxes” connect via a three-dimensional corridor, allowing users to move and linger at various levels while enjoying lake views through the open space.
Top view of the corridor © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
△ Platform and corridor on the second floor © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
The building emphasizes shared use: various activities are regularly held indoors and outdoors. With no walls facing the city, citizens can access the second-floor outdoor activity area via steps leading from the square.
The public restaurant on the first floor and the standard basketball court on the second floor serve as core health and wellness functions, as well as popular spots for local residents to dine and exercise. This openness transforms the building into a social hub, fostering interaction among the elderly and the wider community. Every space, including transport areas, platforms, and stairs, is designed to support informal social gatherings.
△ Second-floor outdoor activity area open to the city © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
Economical Design + Soft Façade
Health and wellness projects are sensitive to budgets, and urban renewal projects even more so. Encouraging risky investments is not advisable. The largest costs were structural reinforcements and demolition. We prioritized maximizing the use of existing structures, reducing expenses by careful spatial planning and optimizing functional combinations.
For the complex corridor elements and new sports hall, we adopted a steel structure. Corridor columns consist of three bundled small-diameter cylinders, meeting structural needs while appearing slender and elegant.
△ Construction progress and façade refinements © Qicheng Design
Regarding the façade, we set aside preconceived notions and aimed to create a “soft skin” using common materials and simple techniques. The original red and white contrast was replaced with a warm ceramic wood tone, aligning better with the gentle atmosphere of the health and wellness center.
Due to load limitations preventing dry-hanging systems, large-format bricks were chosen as the main material, featuring three similar warm color schemes. After extensive tests and simulations, we selected the optimal tiling rhythm and color density, resulting in a façade that reads as a strong unified tone from afar, with refined details up close.
△ Partial façade of the comprehensive health and wellness service center © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
Present and Future
Renovation projects inevitably face unexpected challenges, requiring close collaboration between the construction and design teams. For instance, when the original structure’s load capacity proved insufficient to support the decorative wall design, we substituted a lightweight metal grille. We also coordinated folding, edging, and installation methods to ensure the final outcome adhered to design intent and quality.
△ Health and Wellness Center in Linzi © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
△ Façade detail © Liang Wenjun, Qicheng Design
© Cui Hongqiang
Although we may not lead a trend through a handful of projects, our goal is to deliver thoughtful designs that bring positive impact and practical solutions to communities. The project is now operational, with public facilities open to the city, aiming to provide better, more convenient, and comfortable living services for the elderly.
Project Drawings
△ Overall project plan © Qicheng Design
△ Streamline diagram © Qicheng Design
△ Function distribution diagram © Qicheng Design
△ Elevation drawing © Qicheng Design
△ Elevation drawing © Qicheng Design
△ Section diagram © Qicheng Design
△ Section diagram © Qicheng Design
Project Details
Design Firm: Qicheng Design
Location: Weifang, Shandong
Construction Year: 2021
Building Area: 24,745 square meters
Author: Wu Qingzhe
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up