“Demolition is an easy, short-term decision,” said Anne Lacaton. "It's a waste of many things - a waste of energy, a waste of materials, a waste of history." The sense of life in architecture lies in the duration, which is closely related to the use scenario. However, buildings also have their own life cycle, whether it is a decline in the building's own functions, changes in social demands, or new requirements through local policies, all of which become opportunities for the renewal of old buildings.
Renewal: Changes in Architectural and Spatial Functions - The Li City Study is located in Tianmu Lake Resort in Liyang City. As a government-sponsored public welfare project, it realizes the convenience of urban common cultural spaces and provides public space for citizens and tourists to read books for free 24 hours a day. Before the renovation, the building was an office. The government proposed new social functions for it to adapt to public needs while reflecting the humane care of the public. During the renovation process, Greater Dog Architects did in-depth research on the existing building, rooted in the building's past, and responded to the new functionality. Respecting the site environment, construction methods and the original frame structure of the building, the architects followed the principles of sustainability to the maximum extent, using the existing space, creating a cultural and memory container, a place for reading and public communication. within a limited innovation framework.
Reuse: Retaining and reusing the architectural framework - the building has three floors above ground and one floor underground with a frame structure. The semi-outdoor entrance that turns away from the building and deliberately extended circular traffic flow separates the building from the bustling street. At the same time, the architects removed the exterior walls, exposing the original beams and framing of the columns. They trimmed the original floorboards and added new circular structural beams on the main facade. It brings changes to the new structure and interior floor panels while highlighting the modern language of the existing frame system. Through a dialogue between the old and new structural language, a well-balanced appearance of an existing building is presented.
In addition to redesigning the façade, circulation, and interior functions, the building was also functionally updated, and the technical challenges encountered during the process were substantially resolved: the design team made maximum possible adjustments to the building's bearing capacity to achieve new loads within the space; An extensive renovation of the HVAC system of this building from the early 1990s was carried out, along with a redesign of the fire escape system, lighting application systems, etc... The original structure which did not meet seismic capacity requirements and structural measures were recalculated and strengthened, to enable The building from entering a new life cycle. Although the renovated building is different from the surrounding buildings in the Tianmu Lake scenic area, the architect always insists on a "appropriate" sense of proportion, so that it is a reasonable measure between the existing framework and the new agglomeration. The renovated Li City Study is seamlessly integrated into the city and its surroundings with a new texture, further enlivening the general cultural needs.
The original structure that did not meet the seismic capacity requirements and structural measures were recalculated and strengthened, to enable the building to enter a new life cycle. Although the renovated building is different from the surrounding buildings in the Tianmu Lake scenic area, the architect always insists on a "appropriate" sense of proportion, so that it is a reasonable measure between the existing framework and the new agglomeration. The renovated Li City Study is seamlessly integrated into the city and its surroundings with a new texture, further enlivening the general cultural needs.
In the context of urban development shifting from gradual expansion to stock upgrading in China, the reuse of existing buildings achieves its sustainability. and reasonable "remediation" of deficiencies in existing buildings to extend the operational life of the building. This approach to architecture is based on acknowledging the present that is rooted in the past, and at the same time responding to the present. Its reuse not only becomes a new public architectural landmark of the scenic area but also brings more memories to the building, reflecting the importance of architecture as a long-term existence.