Birdcage: Urban Village Memorial Hall Renovation at Shenzhen, China | Masters Design Project on Adaptive Reuse

Site Context

Current Status: This fortress-like concrete house is located in Shenzhen, China—a city with a remarkable story, having transformed from a small fishing village to a global metropolis in just 40 years. The house itself has an equally unique history: its owner, after working in Hong Kong’s urban landscape to save money, returned to his hometown to construct a solid, personal haven—a true utopia.

The building defies typical architectural conventions, astonishing architects with its unconventional design. Made entirely of concrete, it lacks a traditional grid structure; each floor has a different height, there’s no set floor plan, and the stairs vary in placement. The construction appears almost random, with structural elements that are elusive yet seemingly everywhere.

The relationship between buildings and cities / streets / people: In Shenzhen, urban villages cover 36.3% of the city’s total housing area, comprising 5.1 million units that accommodate about 10 million residents, including 87% of the city’s migrant population. Our project is situated in a neighborhood historically home to the Hakka community of Laoxu Town. Until the 1990s, this area served as the main business district in central Longgang; today, it has transformed into one of Shenzhen’s many urban villages, largely inhabited by migrant workers.

The project stands at the end of Main Street, with its main entrance facing the street. However, the plot is close to residential buildings, creating a narrow, confined space with only a few meters separating the structures. The building itself is a tower nestled within the city’s basin.

Design Process

For this project, the goal is to preserve the building’s original features with minimal intervention and disruption. New uses will be introduced, while existing structures are salvaged and connected to future development plans.

1. Functional Strategy: Based on the building’s unique character, transforming it into a publicly accessible space is essential. Establishing an Urban Village Memorial Hall focused on local folk culture will allow this distinctive building to embody the memories of the urban villages.

2. Material Design: The design considers both the building’s existing spatial qualities and surrounding public areas. It will retain continuity by incorporating existing materials and dimensions, drawing elements from the original architecture and working within its established design language.

3. Development Considerations: The historical context and background of the site are key, alongside future development projections. Efforts will blend the cultural aspects of the current community, crafting a renewed identity for the area.

Final Outcome

The Urban Village Memorial Hall is designed to connect with its surroundings, preserve historical memory, and celebrate local culture. The bottom floor retains much of the original wall structure and concrete furniture, serving as an exhibition gallery in a large open space. The middle floors provide an immersive experience, allowing visitors to sense the narrow, crowded living conditions of the urban village, with 3D projections showcasing scenes of village life. Finally, the open top floor acts as a resting area with expansive views, symbolizing the desire of urban village residents for light and open space.

Entrance: The consultation office is positioned outside, between the original building and the access core, allowing for the separation of various groups, such as the elderly, sick, and disabled, while others can enter through the main entrance. The roof eaves form a terrace that links the building’s interior with the access core, integrating the two areas.

Access Bridge: Visitors enter from the main building’s ground-floor entrance and proceed upward on a one-way path. On the third and eighth floors, bridges connect to the new outdoor access tower, offering visitors the choice to exit on either floor.

Experience Area: The design includes interactive experiences and participatory exhibits, featuring advanced 3D holographic projection devices to engage visitors in the history and daily life of the urban village.

Rooftop Café: Originally featuring a semi-open metal mesh ceiling, the rooftop café now includes added structural elements and frosted glass. This area connects directly to the exit elevator.

Viewing Platform: From the top, visitors can observe the extensive urban landscape, including high-rise buildings and traffic, offering a distinctive view of the surrounding cityscape.

Conclusion: This project honours the history of Shenzhen’s urban villages while creating an inviting public space by carefully establishing a balance between preservation and new functionality. Through thoughtfully designed connections, interactive exhibits, and integrated gathering spaces, the site celebrates the culture of the community while bridging the past and future of the city.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]