The Senye Corridor is situated in Zone C of the Yedao Cultural Life Community, formerly the Dongjiang Grain Distillery established in 1951. Preserving the original 18 buildings and the surrounding landscape, this area has evolved into Huizhou’s most dynamic cultural community since 2019. The collaboration between BDSD Wujie Design and Nojima began in 2021 with the creation of an independent bookstore, Ueno Bookstore. In 2022, they completed the renovation of the Wild Island Public Garden, named “Wild Fun Oasis,” and by 2024, they had also renovated the public spaces in Wild Island Zone C.
The renovation project, titled “Senye Corridor,” embraces the site’s heritage by blending old and new elements. This creates fresh points of interest while allowing visitors to experience the dynamic interaction between tradition and modernity. By connecting landscapes, corridors, plazas, and buildings through points, lines, and planes, the design fosters open spaces of varying scales, enriching both horizontal and vertical spatial experiences.
Corridor: Creating a Seamless Flow
Over 70 years ago, the old factory buildings were heavy and isolated, lacking cohesion. To integrate these structures with commercial spaces and encourage exploration, the design needed to address the fragmented nature of the site. By respecting the original buildings and bridging the gap between old architecture and new uses, a cohesive experience was crafted.
Preserving the historic buildings was central to the design approach. Instead of extensive demolition, BDSD Wujie Design reorganized circulation paths by adding lightweight aerial corridors and staircases, ensuring a smooth flow throughout. This approach enhances access to second-floor spaces while balancing preservation with innovation.
Steps: Thoughtful, Small-Scale Interventions
The area near the park exit in Zone C was previously uninviting, rarely attracting visitors to explore the entire park. The renovation aimed to connect buildings and walkways at this entrance to enrich the visitor experience and encourage check-ins. The open space functions as both a passageway and a stepped plaza, accommodating public celebrations during holidays. Ascending the steps, visitors are guided along an open path aligning with the iconic old chimney.
Wildness: Embracing Nature’s Rugged Charm
The design seeks to subtly showcase the allure of nature by preserving existing tall plants and creating a wilderness garden where vegetation can thrive independently. The contrast between natural disorder and carefully crafted geometry enhances the historic atmosphere. The industrial heritage intertwines with the natural cycles of growth and decay, merging past, present, and future.
BDSD Wujie Design’s guiding principle throughout the four-year Wild Island update is to create a “living block” that grows organically. Space serves as a vessel for human emotions—joy, excitement, and melancholy—breathing new life into history and old buildings. Each design update is a starting point, intentionally leaving room for future growth and allowing the space to evolve with its community.
Project Drawings
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Renovation sequence schematic
△ Circulation diagram
△ Floor plan
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
Project Information
Architect: BDSD Wujie Design
Area: 2,000 m²
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Greenimages
Lead Architects: Lin Wenke, Sun Zhengyuan
Design Team: Pan Meijia, He Haiquan, Wu Ruikang, Xu Chaoyang, Su Rixian
Client: Noda Cultural Life Community
Location: Huizhou
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