This project focuses on rural relocation and housing resettlement, involving the demolition and resettlement of nearly 400 rural households across six local villages. The first phase was completed in 2021, and as villagers gradually relocate, various small rural businesses—such as supermarkets, restaurants, and shops—have opened within homes, beginning to form a vibrant community atmosphere.
The current state of most villages in Miluo, where past and present communities coexist, can be summed up as scattered small clusters that feel cold and disorganized. In the hillside forests, a few houses form micro-settlements with loose layouts and structures that often appear as low-quality patchwork. While respecting the rural values of privacy and individual independence, the project aims to reshape a large-scale, socially interactive group lifestyle in the new settlements—reviving the lively spirit of rural life.
This “reshaping” draws on a lifestyle that has long existed in northern Hunan, embodied by a building type known to industry veterans as Xiangbei Dayu.
The Xiangbei Mansion originally was a family-style architectural complex, featuring clear axial relationships between buildings. Along each axis, courtyards connect in series, forming a spatial progression shaped like the Chinese character “feng”. Despite expansions, the roofs remain tightly connected, giving the entire mansion the characteristics of “lower division and upper closure” with multiple entrances and rows.
By analyzing the hierarchy of “axis line → base map → household division → ritual system → classification,” six basic types of individual buildings were extracted from the traditional “big houses.” These were then recombined and adapted into various large house settlements through deformation, selection, and combination. Each group is encircled by a motor vehicle lane on the outside, while pedestrian paths weave between houses inside.
The purpose of connecting roofs is to “divide” the large house, addressing the independent living needs of different families. The concept of “Shanghe” explores communal life. Based on the potential for roof connections, all building types have been reedited and reorganized.
Using a steel-wood roof derivative section, the design highlights these connections between homes while minimizing sunlight obstruction. The result is a completely new group of buildings that can be disassembled and combined. By sharing eaves, the design physically fosters neighborhood connections, encouraging interactions that create a strong community atmosphere.
Epilogue: While filming the joyful project “Fish and Bear at the Same Time,” I met a grandfather chatting enthusiastically with his neighbor. He said, “This house is very good.” When I asked what made it good, he replied, “It’s great that each house is separate!” This shows his appreciation for independent living alongside the neighborhood atmosphere created by this high-density community.
Project Drawings
△ Xiangbei Dayu White Model Rendering
△ Concept Sketch of Large Roof
Building Type 1
Building Type 2
△ Overall Site Layout Plan
△ Large Section of the Site
△ Eight-Unit Single Floor Plan
△ Eight-Unit Roof Plan
△ Eight-Unit Section View
△ Eight-Unit Elevation Diagram
△ Eight-Unit Elevation Diagram
△ Four-Unit Single Floor Plan
△ Four-Unit Roof Plan
△ Four-Unit Sectional View
△ Four-Unit Elevation Drawing
△ Four-Unit Elevation Drawing
△ Wall Sample
△ Disassembly Process of the Large House
Exploded View of the Xiangbei Large House
Project Information
Architectural Design: Zaozao Architectural Studio
Area: 46,700 m²
Year: 2021
Photographer: Zhao Yilong
Manufacturers: Shixu Cultural Stone, Meishiyuan Coating, Changshaxiong Micro Door and Window Installation Co., Ltd.
Lead Architects: Shen Yue, Dai Wenzhu
Design Team: Shen Yue, Dai Wenzhu, Lei Jinjian, Sheng Ren, Xiong Leshuang, Bao Ying, Yang Shifei, Cai Xian
Construction Drawing Team: Ren Liping (Chief Engineer), Jiang Weijing (Architecture), Xu Jie (Structure), Li Xiaoyun (Water Supply & Drainage), Dong Zhihui (Electrical), Zhu Xufeng (HVAC)
Owner: Miluo Culture and Tourism Group
General Contractor: Zhonghan Design Group Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: Zaozao Architecture Studio
Construction: China Nuclear Industry 24 Construction Co., Ltd.
Location: Miluo City, China
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