Adaptive Reuse of Buildings: A Success Story from Fujian Province

In recent years, adaptive reuse of buildings has gained significant attention in the fields of urban design and sustainability. Following our previous publication on the importance of these practices, we are excited to share with the LinkedIn community a remarkable example of conservation and reuse that not only preserves historical heritage but also returns a building to its community with new social and functional purposes.

In the mountainous valleys of China's Fujian province, thousands of earthen fortresses, known as "tulou," lie abandoned. These structures, once used for defense and communal living, are integral to the region's cultural heritage, with 46 of them recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Despite this, the surrounding rural communities have struggled to find new roles and purposes for these buildings.

Architect Xu Tiantian of DnA_Design and Architecture has tackled this challenge with the Fujian Tulou | Adaptive Reuse project, which recently won the Gold Prize at the Holcim Awards 2023 for Asia-Pacific. This project has been recognized for creating "an exemplary model for conservation initiatives." Xu Tiantian's initiative goes beyond preserving these structures as historical relics; it explores how these buildings can be repurposed to serve new contemporary roles.

The adaptive reuse of tulou is seen as an urgent social strategy to address both their state of abandonment and the needs of rural communities. The project introduces new cultural and public functions, transforming these structures into community centers and public cultural spaces. This approach not only restores local identity but also revitalizes the economic and social development of rural areas.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the project is its emphasis on collective memory and the sentimental connection to the tulou. By working with local artisans and using traditional building technologies, such as earthen and wooden structures, the project fosters a strong sense of community pride. At the same time, it introduces new materials and contemporary construction methods compatible with vernacular technologies, preserving the original character of the buildings while creating new open spaces for public use.

The design focuses not on the conservation of a single building but considers abandoned tulou as a pressing social issue. Xu Tiantian explained that the project views the ruins of tulou as a new typology and an opportunity to restore rural identity and rebuild the collective memory of local communities. These buildings become meeting points for visitors and villagers, bringing new economic potential to the region.

Manit Rastogi of Morphogenesis, the jury chair for the Asia-Pacific region, emphasized that the project's selection as the winner was unanimous. He highlighted how Xu Tiantian's initiative goes beyond sustainable design by addressing fundamental issues regarding the potential of existing structures to be transformed and adapted to meet the current and future needs of their communities.

This experience invites us to reflect on how we can reimagine and reuse abandoned buildings in our communities. What do you think of this approach? Do you have similar experiences or ideas to share? We invite you to comment and share your opinions and stories. Dialogue and collaboration are crucial for promoting sustainable and innovative practices in urban design.

Join the conversation and share this article with your network to inspire others to follow the example of the Fujian Tulou | Adaptive Reuse project. Together, we can transform historical buildings into valuable resources for our communities.