Shantang Street Phase IV Renewal Planning by Yi Jian Architects Is Granted the Bronze A' Design Award in Urban Planning and Urban Design

The Work

Project

Shantang Street Phase IV Renewal Planning

Function

Renewal Planning

Category

Urban Planning and Urban Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Social Impact

Colors

Dark Slate Gray, Dim Gray, Light Steel Blue, Gray and Dark Olive Green

Images

5

The Recognition

Laureate

Yi Jian Architects

Country

China

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2022 - 2023

Design ID

#149966

Credits

Team

Yi Cheng, Yuhuan Zhang, Ziye Zhong, Zhiying Zhang

Design Details

Unique Properties

Shantang Street is a cultural street with a history of 1200 years. The new picture of the Shantang area will become a banner of community revival. The renewal of Shantang Street near Tiger Hill has been stagnant for ten years. There are piles of litter in the surroundings, and the buildings are left to decay. The launch of the Li's Yizhuang parcel renewal project is a catalyst for community revival, and rebuilding people's confidence in the community through implanting new commercial activities.

Inspiration

Shantang River and Shantang Street in Suzhou are important parts of the Grand Canal as a World Heritage Site. Shantang Street is a cultural street with a history of 1200 years, and was depicted in the painting, Prosperous Suzhou, created during the Qianlong Period of Qing Dynasty. The Li's Yizhuang parcel is located next to Zhenzhuo Bridge appeared in Prosperous Suzhou. It is the closest spot to Suzhou Tiger Hill Scenic Area.

Research

Social Significance With the rapid development of modern transportation, many historic streets are gradually replaced by new towns. In China, some historic streets and neighborhoods are either facing the hollowing phenomenon and becoming dilapidated, or the historical and cultural features disappear due to excessive commercial development. These historic streets witness the development of local culture, and themselves are valuable historical carriers. However, due to the lack of proper maintenance and operation, their historical context cannot be read, and their historical value is not cherished. How to keep a good balance between "preservation" and "renew"?

Challenge

Shantang River and Shantang Street in Suzhou are important parts of the Grand Canal as a World Heritage Site, located in a historically sensitive area. As early as the Qing Dynasty, Shantang Phase IV was depicted in the painting, Prosperous Suzhou, as a busy commercial street, with the beautiful and dynamic waterfront. However, today, the lively scene of Shantang Street no longer exists. There are few residents or tourists staying on the street. The neighbourhood lacks vitality. The buildings along the street are generally in poor conditions and left to decay.

Realization and Technology

Planning structure of four points and one line. The current situation of Shantang Street is overcrowded due to years of disorderly construction, which makes it difficult for people to experience the charm of historical streets. We have selected four important historical space node groups, Li's Yizhuang group, Qu Zhai group, Baoen Chan Temple group and Tao Zhenxiao Temple group. We hope to activate important clusters, become the catalyst of the block, and finally drive the gradual renewal of surrounding buildings. The project involves planning and positioning, architectural design and landscape design.

Operation and Interaction

Injecting new vitality into historic buildings and streets According to the location and historical background of each parcel, we planned the corresponding commercial activities through on-site investigation. For example, Parcel A includes a group of Suzhou cultural relic buildings (Li's Yizhuang), 21 residential buildings and a warehouse of the Republic of China. The renewed parcel will be operated by Suzhou Xiaoyuan Hotel Management Company. The 21 residential buildings are renovated as hotel rooms; the west side of Li's Yizhuang and the warehouse of the Republic of China are renovated as the lobby and supporting facilities of the hotel.

Project Duration and Location

The project started in August 2021 in Suzhou, China, and still under construction now.

Specifications

Buildings' Renovation: Respecting Histoy, Restoring Historical Style Inside each parcel, due to years of illegal constructions, the current site is overcrowded and messy. It's hard for people to experience the traditional charm of the historic streets and alleys. Through carefully screening, removing the illegal structures and preserving the historic buildings, we sort through the current space and make it reappear its original spatial organization. The unique neighborhood texture of street, alley, patio of Suzhou is revealed through the renovation. The passages between buildings which are too narrow are widened to ensure the evacuation and appropriate circulation.

Keywords

Uraban Planning, Urban Design, Cultural Heritage, Community Renewal