Jinxia Library

Longshan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, China

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Gymnasium of Ciyantang Middle School

Jinxia Library

Longshan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, China

Firm

Zengyihai Architecture Studio

Type

Educational › Library
Government + Health › Community Center

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2022

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

$500K - 1M

Located at Ciyantang Town in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Jinxia Library is an exemplary project of public welfare building under China’s rural revitalization policy. Funded by a “pair-up assistance” program and a built area of 2,350 square meters, Jinxia Library is situated in the town center. The design brief extends its function beyond a school facility, housing children from local families in immediate need of quality spaces for staying and learning. It also acts as an open community center for cultural or social engagement.

The design incorporates the architectural language of the Miao people, whose rich cultural identities and traditional architectural knowledge are central to the design concept. The design methodology aims to reflect the “thick, slanted, and bespoke” features of their vernacular architecture. These characteristics originate from the rawness of their natural building materials and the spatial configuration of townhouses adaptive to the mountainous terrain and the hot summer and cold winter climate, which involves a particular combination of brick walls, entries, courtyards, or corridors. These Indigenous architectural assets inspire the design group to re-interpret the vernacular characters into the building layout that does not intrude but merges into the local cultural landscape. Multiple passive design strategies for natural lighting and ventilation are integrated within the sequential arrangement of atriums, light wells, and vertical gardens.

Due to the town’s financial capacity and remote location, the architect's ultimate responsibility was to maximize the use of readily available materials and budget. The project ensures cost-effectiveness by involving local craftsmanship and utilizing locally manufactured black bricks. Since its successful establishment, Jinxia Library has been a welcoming beacon of cultural pride and community development celebrated by the students and the neighborhood, presenting its potential to foster social and economic growth in the longer term