Participated in the independent exhibition "DEEP GREEN" at the Venice Biennale

Multi-dimensional Intervention: Reflections and Practice on Rural Architecture in China

The independent exhibition "DEEP GREEN" of the 2023 Venice Biennale officially opened in Venice on May 20th and will run until November 26th. WJ STUDIO was invited to participate and will showcase the theme  'Multi-dimensional Intervention: Reflections and Practice on Rural Architecture in China'.

WJ STUDIO's three projects: Roll Up the Fields in Qingshan Village, Huanglong Island Hotel in Dongjutou Village, and Boatyard Hotel in Shanwan Village investigate the interaction between urban and rural areas from three perspectives: site, building, and interior.

The following is the understanding of Mr. Hu Zhile, the founding partner and design director of WJ STUDIO, regarding their participation in the  exhibition 'DEEP GREEN' and their practice in Chinese rural architecture:

CONCEPT

Only the physical demarcation line is meant by the term "boundary," which refers to the boundary of a division within a range or the perimeter of a construction. The distinction between urban and rural areas extends beyond the distinctions between industries, cultures, and social structures. As a result of industrial development, modern cities increasingly displaced rural areas as the centre of civilization after the highly developed ones. Rural communities have been cut off from their initial growing environment by such social boundaries. Such barriers must be broken to reconsider what rural areas mean. As a result, the boundary in an architectural sense no longer corresponds to a particular professional boundary of a building or a design form. It requires a broad and sophisticated framework for thinking.

Exhibition Scene©ArchiDogs

The rural parts of China are protracted film that incorporates various diverse elements. In the countryside, there are no structures; only mixed-life communities and scenes exist. Under the umbrella of "multi-dimensional intervention,” WJ STUDIO's conceptual designs for Roll Up the Fields in Qingshan Village, Huanglong Island Hotel in Dongjutou Village, and Boatyard Hotel in Shanwan Village demonstrate an innovative approach to integrating regional context and the boundaries between urban and rural areas. By introducing a diverse range of building typologies, WJ STUDIO seeks to enrich the spatial and architectural values of rural communities, contributing to a more sustainable and community-oriented approach to rural design.

PROJECTS