Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Perak in Desain Arsitektur, Bangunan dan Struktur Competition Category.

PerakArsitektur· 2026

Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

A' Design Award Perak Winner in Arsitektur Category

13,752

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181487

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas

Terletak di dalam kota bersejarah Wuzhen, Ascending Ground mengeksplorasi dialog antara keabadian dan keterbukaan melalui sebuah perpustakaan komunitas kontemporer. Volume bata abu-abu daur ulang menambatkan bangunan ini pada tradisi lokal, sementara teras, platform, dan bukaan berukir menciptakan pergerakan yang mengalir serta pemandangan yang terbingkai. Sebuah rongga sentral yang dipenuhi cahaya menghadirkan alam dan aktivitas sosial, mengubah perpustakaan menjadi lanskap ruang berlapis yang menghubungkan arsitektur, cahaya alami, dan memori urban.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perak

Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas adalah pemenang A' Design Award Perak, pengakuan yang sangat bergengsi yang diberikan kepada desain kelas atas yang indah dan mengesankan. Pemenang Perak adalah karya yang sangat cemerlang dan sangat kreatif yang menggambarkan keahlian, bakat, dan ketajaman luar biasa para desainernya. Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas diharapkan menjadi karya yang menakjubkan, etalase keahlian, sangat profesional, dan sangat inovatif. Desain pemenang A' Design Award Perak ini adalah penemuan yang sangat menonjol dan dikagumi yang bermanfaat bagi dan memajukan batas-batas seni, sains, desain, dan teknologi. Ascending Ground Perpustakaan Komunitas adalah kreasi yang sangat dicemburui yang membangkitkan keinginan, membawa perasaan positif, dan memercikkan keheranan dan kekaguman.

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