As part of the Zhouzhuang Immersive Theater project, a former abandoned office building has been repurposed as a visitor and commercial center. The new program calls for a facade that establishes a fresh identity for the town of Zhouzhuang and its commercial activities. This project was completed in collaboration with the China-based studio Practice on Earth.
The facade design goes beyond merely clothing the existing structure with an outer skin. It provides accessible, integrated circulation that connects with the existing spaces as the facade weaves in and out of the building envelope.
The threshold between the screened cladding and the exterior wall creates pockets of space where shops, tourist attractions, and visitor centers converge. Its porosity invites openness and intrigue, while evoking the image of traditional Chinese roofs commonly seen in Zhouzhuang.
