The Blue House Art Space is situated in Fengjian Water Town, Shunde, Guangdong, a historic water town renowned for its rich Lingnan cultural heritage spanning over a millennium. This area is well-known as a rural tourist destination featuring numerous ancient bridges, temples, and mature trees. It embodies a strong Zen Buddhist culture, characterized by simplicity and natural beauty, alongside unique cultural products and internationally acclaimed Shunde cuisine.
However, rural infrastructure and supporting facilities have struggled to keep pace with local living standards and the increasing demand from international tourists. This has led to several challenges, including a shortage of venues for cultural and artistic exhibitions and exchanges, subpar accommodation and hospitality services, traffic congestion, the need to elevate dining quality, and an urgent call to enhance tourism support facilities.
This project centers on the revitalization and renovation of existing buildings within the framework of rural renewal. The design strategy involves repurposing two vacant houses and one riverside garden, integrating contemporary cultural and artistic spaces alongside high-quality hotel reception facilities. The total renovation covers 5,030 square meters and includes a series of art museum spaces showcasing works by over 20 artists housed in the existing buildings, 29 boutique hotel rooms, three specialty dining venues, and an outdoor garden featuring Lingnan characteristics. Throughout the process, the existing ecological landscape along the river is carefully preserved and enhanced.
The vision for this project is to establish a new cultural and artistic space that embraces simplicity and looks toward the future, embodying the unique spirit of the water town. It aims to become a new landmark that promotes Eastern aesthetic values. Key challenges include leveraging the site’s strengths while mitigating its weaknesses, maximizing the use of surrounding cultural resources without succumbing to urban distractions, creating an exclusive, tranquil environment, and deeply integrating Lingnan culture into the experience.
The design team seeks to blend modern design language with classical Lingnan aesthetics, innovating while honoring tradition. By incorporating local crafts, the old spaces are given new purpose. The project integrates architecture, landscaping, interior design, art curation, and lighting into a cohesive design that is restrained yet vibrant. With humility and confidence, it offers a profound interpretation of Lingnan cultural values.
The building’s exterior employs simple materials to create a fresh design language that addresses needs for low-carbon energy conservation, ventilation, and natural lighting. It reflects a bold spirit of surpassing tradition and innovating within Lingnan culture. By embracing local materials and craftsmanship, the project reinvigorates the site to foster an emotionally rich lifestyle, as well as an open, diverse, and communicative social and cultural atmosphere.
Considering Lingnan’s climate is a critical design aspect of this project. This region experiences a typical monsoon climate, marked by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Ceramic tiles are chosen as the primary facade material due to their delicate texture, breathability, and permeability. They significantly enhance passive energy conservation, improving indoor comfort. Different masonry techniques are employed for various floors, optimizing building performance and adding visual interest to the facade.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ Plan View
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Detailed Structural Drawing
Schematic Diagram of Detailed Structure
△ Detailed Structural Analysis Diagram
△ Functional Zoning
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Architect: ADARC Architecture
Area: 5,030 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Lin Liqin
Lead Architect: Ding Shaoheng
Design Team: Siwei International Architectural Firm Co., Ltd
Construction Party: Lanshe Hotel Management Co., Ltd
Landscape Design: Dangdai Landscape
Collaborative Designer: Siwei International Architectural Firm Co., Ltd
Lighting Design: Gaodun Lighting
Art Consultant: Artlink
Client: Lanshe Hotel Management Co., Ltd
Location: Foshan City
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