Village Lounge of Shangcun
200best ES
SUP Atelier
2017
Type
Public Space
Tags
public spaces, renovations, new ecological paradigm, spaces of encounter, renaturation, architecture for the commons, levers of change, 200Best, responsible tourism
Visitability
Allowed
Description
This project is as small as it is great in its transformative capacity. Located in a town affected by rural depopulation, the project plants a seed of change that reinforces the neighbours’ sense of community and creates a potential economic opportunity through sustainable rural tourism. The abandoned courtyard of one of the houses, located at a crossroads, is now open and serves as a community lounge. Its walls have been built in collaboration with local builders, while the roof features a clever bamboo structure which, in addition to being a sustainable solution, gives the space an attractive and contemporary look. The town’s new public space is a versatile area that hosts a wide range of activities, from neighbourhood meetings to cultural events and tourism-oriented activities. The key to the project is neighbourhood participation. The development itself, which included site selection, has been the catalyst for the creation of a neighbourhood association that will be the driving force behind future rural regeneration efforts. These include the transformation of abandoned buildings into hostels to encourage rural tourism.