Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Ajan in Achitekti Competition Category.

AjanAchitekti· 2026

Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

A' Design Award Ajan Winner in Achitekti Category

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

Colors

The Design

About Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè

Tèks Liv: Plase nan vil istorik Wuzhen an, Ascending Ground eksplore yon dyalòg ant pèmanans ak ouvèti atravè yon bibliyotèk kominotè kontanporen. Volim brik gri resikle yo ankre bilding lan nan tradisyon lokal la, pandan teras, platfòm, ak ouvèti ki taye yo kreye mouvman flit ak vi ankadre. Yon espas vid santral ranpli ak limyè entwodui lanati ak aktivite sosyal, ki transfòme bibliyotèk la an yon peyizaj espasyal an kouch ki konekte achitekti, limyè jounen, ak memwa iben.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ajan

Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè se yon ganyan A' Design Award Ajan, yon rekonesans ki gen yon prestij enmans yo bay design nivo siperyè, bèl anpil e enpresyonan. Ganyan Ajan yo se travay ki trè briyan e ki trè kreyatif ki montre ekspètiz, talan ak finès designer yo. Yo atann Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè pou se yon bèl travay modèl, remakab nan pwofesyonalis e ki gen gwo inovasyon. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Ajan se yon envansyon trè remakab, admire ki pote benefis e ki pouse limit atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji. Ascending Ground Fonksyon Prensipal: Bibliyotèk Kominotè se yon kreyasyon anpil moun jalou ki reveye dezi, ki pote santiman pozitif e ki limen sipriz ak mèvèy.

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