Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii by Qianshuang Song

Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii by Qianshuang Song is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Patrimonium Culturale Competition Category.

ArgentumPatrimonium Culturale· 2026

Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii

by Qianshuang Song

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Patrimonium Culturale Category

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The Design

About Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii

Ultra Colles Virides est renovatio domicilii stili Huizhou in Huangshan, provincia Anhui, in Sinis siti. Consilium rationem levis interventus sequitur. Parietes albi tegulaeque obscurae conservantur, proportiones fenestrarum accommodantur, et suggrundia atque ornamenta clathrata adduntur. Moles vitrea in area aedificia coniungit et lucem, aerem viriditatemque introducit. Tabulata gradibus divisa aedificium adiunctum locupletant. Mensuratio diligens et lustratio tridimensionalis exemplar digitale sustinuerunt, quo mutationes structurales dispositae sunt. Area totius aedificii est mille quadringenti triginta duo metra quadrata.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Beyond the Green Hills Renovatio Aedificii Patrimonii creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The project renovates an existing Huizhou-style residence with a three-story main building, a courtyard annex, and landscape gardens. Using a “light intervention” strategy, Qianshuang Song preserves white walls and dark tiles, adjusts window proportions, adds eaves and lattice details, and raises roof height for updated living needs. Split-level lofts enrich the annex. A glass volume in the courtyard links buildings, introducing light, air, and greenery while opening previously enclosed spaces.
Dimensions & Packaging: The project has a total building area of 1,432 square metre and a landscape area of 2,100 square metre. The building comprises three floors with an overall height of 10.6 m. It accommodates nine guest rooms, two dining areas, and a ground-floor public activity zone, integrating hospitality, leisure, and communal functions within a unified spatial framework.
Tags: Huizhou Architecture Heritage, Adaptive Renovation, Light Intervention, Sructure Renovation, Landscape Design
Production Technology: The original buildings were comprehensively surveyed and documented through detailed measurement and 3D scanning. A precise 1:1 digital model was reconstructed to analyze structural conditions and spatial relationships. This model provided a reliable technical foundation for renovation decisions, enabling accurate planning of structural adjustments, daylight optimization, and integration of new spatial elements while preserving the original architectural character.
Design Challenge: The existing building condition posed major challenges, with unclear structural systems and undocumented equipment locations. These issues were addressed through comprehensive on-site surveying and 3D scanning, while partial ground excavation helped verify foundation conditions and establish accurate design parameters. Another key challenge was optimizing window proportions to improve daylight and ventilation without compromising the cultural character and architectural spirit of traditional Huizhou architecture.
Research: This project is based on structural and typological research into Huizhou residential architecture. To improve ground-floor connectivity, load-bearing interior walls were selectively removed, and a steel reinforcement system was introduced following structural assessment and digital simulation. Field surveys and modeling were used to ensure structural safety and stability. In parallel, the design team studied key Huizhou architectural elements, including Ma Tau walls, moon beams, and window lattice patterns, focusing on their proportions and construction logic. These findings informed the redesign of façades, interior interfaces, and details, allowing traditional spatial language to be adapted to contemporary living. Through the integration of engineering and cultural research, the project balances heritage preservation with functional renewal. In parallel, the design team conducted systematic research on traditional Huizhou architectural elements, including Ma Tau walls, curved moon beams, and window lattice patterns. These elements were analyzed in terms of proportion, construction logic, and symbolic meaning. The research findings informed the redesign of façades, interior interfaces, and structural details, allowing traditional spatial language to be reinterpreted within a contemporary living framework. Through the integration of engineering analysis and cultural studies, the project establishes a balanced approach between heritage preservation and functional renewal.
Inspiration: Inspired by a deep appreciation and academic study of Huizhou architecture, the project explores its cultural value and spatial principles. The design seeks to adapt traditional forms to contemporary living needs through sensitive renovation. Structural adjustments improve spatial permeability, while strategic openings enhance natural daylight. The project balances heritage preservation with functional modernization, ensuring continuity of regional identity.
Project Duration: The project is located in Huangshan, Anhui Province, China. The design commenced in April 2024, construction began in August 2025, and the project is currently under construction.
Operation Flow: Traditional Huizhou architecture often limits daylight and airflow, creating enclosed and humid interiors. Responding to contemporary living needs, the design optimizes window proportions, introduces a transparent courtyard glass volume, and adjusts structural layouts to enhance ventilation and light. These strategies strengthen the interaction between users and the site, allowing occupants to experience landscape views, seasonal changes, and natural climate conditions within daily living activities.
Patents: Qianshuang Song
Team Members: Qianshuang Song