Page 57 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Rural–urban village regeneration

Figure 7. The existing condition of the grain store (left panel) and the
restoration proposal (right panel)
Source: Left: Photo by the authors (2020); Right: Rendering image by the
Figure 6. Exterior and interior of House No. 49 authors.
Source: Photo by the authors (2020).
To restore the grain store while meeting modern
Key restoration steps include: needs, the design proposes reinterpreting its form
• Replacing the stainless-steel entrance door with a pair and spatiality with the addition of a lightweight steel
of Chinese fir timber doors roof structure to protect the restored stone walls
• Cleaning existing stone and brick walls using high- from rainfall. The surrounding landscape will be
pressure water jetting cleared, including the removal of the unrecognizable
• Replacing damaged timber components, including ruined structure. An outdoor hard-paved floor will be
purlins, battens, beams, and lintels constructed to host horticultural workshops, accessible
• Salvaging intact tiles for reroofing and replacing through folding doors on the side elevation. Similar
broken ones to House No. 49, the restoration plan includes basic
• Installing a stainless-steel hatch over the central amenities such as power sockets, lighting, furniture, a
skylight well to prevent water leakage from the flat roof sink, and a water supply.
• Retaining and cleaning the existing cement-sand Even before the restoration work commenced, the house
flooring owner demonstrated her proactive commitment to the
• Refurbishing metal window frames and glass panels to project by collecting traditional farming tools for display
restore their original appearance. and demonstration. Her efforts exemplify the enthusiasm
To accommodate workshop activities throughout the and participation of partnering villagers in preserving and
year, simple downlights, power sockets, movable furniture, revitalizing their cultural heritage.
split-type air-conditioning units, and a sink with a potable 6. A Retrospective review of village
water supply will be installed.
dynamics: Land ownership, regulations,
5.3. Architectural reinterpretation of the grain store governance, and discrepancies
To reinforce the cultural identity of Shui Hau village as a The regenerative initiatives were codeveloped with a group
former agrarian community, the research team proposed of passionate villagers who actively engage in discussions
restoring the ruined grain store and repurposing it into a about village affairs, are willing to lend their premises
farming cooperative for experimental farming. The house for restoration, and are capable of delivering thematic
owner, a senior female villager who previously worked as workshops in the long term. The research team identified
a horticultural therapist in the city, is enthusiastic about several key findings, including intricate land ownership
returning to Shui Hau village to revive small-scale farming issues, unspecific regulations for rural conservation,
practices. She aims to transform the original grain store loose governance over village development (Table 1), and
into a community hub for exchanging farming-related mismatches between actual and expected outcomes during
knowledge and products. implementation (Table 2).
Originally designed for storing harvests, the grain 6.1. Intricate land ownership
store was a single-story structure with a pitched tile roof It is argued that in-between spaces can foster everyday
supported by timber purlins and battens (Figure 7). Over interactions within the neighborhood more effectively
time, much of the plaster layer has deteriorated, exposing than formal public spaces. For instance, during one
the rough construction of the walls made of mud and stones. of the tactical interventions in the form of culinary
The structure is set back from the adjacent pedestrian practice, leihuobian was prepared in the backyard of a
footpaths, with another ruined structure standing between village house using a self-built brick stove. While the
the grain store and a nearby village house. event successfully attracted participants to witness the

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4992