Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Plata in Diseño de Arquitectura, Edificación y Estructuras Competition Category.

PlataArquitectura· 2026

Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

A' Design Award de Plata Winner in Arquitectura Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria

Texto del Libro: Situado en la histórica ciudad de Wuzhen, Ascending Ground explora un diálogo entre permanencia y apertura a través de una biblioteca comunitaria contemporánea. Volúmenes de ladrillo gris reciclado anclan el edificio en la tradición local, mientras que las terrazas, plataformas y aberturas talladas generan un movimiento fluido y vistas enmarcadas. Un vacío central lleno de luz introduce naturaleza y actividad social, transformando la biblioteca en un paisaje espacial estratificado que conecta la arquitectura, la luz natural y la memoria urbana.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Plata

Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria ha ganado el A' Design Award de Plata, un reconocimiento extraordinariamente prestigioso concedido a diseños de gama alta, magníficos e impresionantes. Los ganadores de Plata son obras tremendamente brillantes y sumamente creativas que ilustran la destacada experiencia, el talento y la agudeza de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria sea una obra maravillosa y emblemática, notablemente profesional y profundamente innovadora. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Plata es una invención muy notable y admirada que beneficia y hace avanzar las fronteras del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología. Ascending Ground Función Principal: Biblioteca Comunitaria es una creación enormemente envidiada que evoca deseos, aporta sentimientos positivos y despierta asombro y admiración.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The project reinterprets Wuzhen’s historic architectural language through a contemporary community library that merges cave-like enclosed spaces with open terraces. The façade employs locally sourced recycled bricks, reinforcing regional identity while reducing material impact. A heavy masonry mass contrasts with a light-filled central void, creating layered circulation and a social platform connecting residents and visitors.
Dimensions & Packaging: The building is organized as a multi-level library composed of a heacy mass cladded with local-sourced recycled bricks and lightweight steel terrace structures. Massing and platform geometry were optimized through sun-path analysis to enhance daylight performance and natural ventilation. Varied façade openings regulate light and views, while staggered terraces create integrated circulation across levels, supporting flexible spatial use and environmental responsiveness.
Tags: community library, contextualized design, heritage integration, recycled material
Production Technology: The overall massing and platform layout were determined through careful study of the sun path to optimize daylight and capture views of Wuzhen’s historic district. Heavy volumes use locally sourced recycled grey bricks, while lightweight timber and steel define the central void and terraces. Staggered terraces, varied window openings, and intersecting stairs create layered spatial experiences, blending traditional materials with contemporary construction techniques.
Design Challenge: Integrating a contemporary library into Wuzhen’s historic fabric required balancing tradition and innovation while addressing social and spatial needs. Constraints included local regulations, material availability, and construction logistics in narrow historic streets.
Inspiration: The design is inspired by the rich historical and cultural fabric of Wuzhen, particularly its muted grey brick and white-walled architecture. Motivated to create a contemporary intervention that respects tradition, the project explores spatial contrasts between enclosed cave-like areas and open terraces, fostering community interaction while embracing the town’s scenic context.
Project Duration: The project concept started in 2018 during my travel in Wuzhen and the design finished in 2019.
Operation Flow: The library features a system of staggered stairs, platforms, and vertical circulation within the brick volumes, allowing visitors to move freely between enclosed, cave-like spaces and open terraces. This separation of circulation creates multiple paths, encourages exploration, and frames diverse views of Wuzhen, while the central void and terraces serve as flexible communal spaces that enhance social interaction and experiential engagement.
Patents: Hao Zhong
Team Members: Hao Zhong
Image Credits: Hao Zhong