The village was the focus of a 2018 rural revitalisation initiative that led to widespread brick waste. In collaboration with villagers and local artists, architect Zhang Pengju proposed reusing these bricks to construct a low-cost, multifunctional community centre.

The village was the focus of a 2018 rural revitalisation initiative that led to widespread brick waste. In collaboration with villagers and local artists, architect Zhang Pengju proposed reusing these bricks to construct a low-cost, multifunctional community centre.

Aerial view of the community centre.

The centre is accessed via a narrow entrance corridor that leads straight into the off-centre circular courtyard.

The centre's courtyard doubles as a venue for performances and communal events, encouraging everyday connection and attracting visitors from the nearby regional capital Hohhot.

Aerial view of the centre showing the roof and the courtyard. This building is designed around spaces for community activity.

Aerial view of the roof towers. Underground ventilation and passive cooling towers harness natural airflow and thermal mass principles, minimising energy use.

View of the building from the south-west. The light exterior finish of the brick was applied by hand; it increases its durability and evokes the soil of the surrounding area.

Indoor circulation space and resting area. The building maximises passive lighting and shading through strategic placement of large windows, which illuminate the interior while limiting heat gain. 

Instrumental in its low cost was the approach of building it almost entirely of bricks salvaged from the earlier demolitions. 

View from inside one of the four ventilation towers – which are connected to an underground cooling system.

Performance around a fire in the courtyard of the community centre at night.

View of the interior courtyard where water has formed a reflecting pool.

Existing trees were preserved as a marker for villagers’ collective memory.

 Architectural drawing: Ground floor plan.