Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Perak in Reka Bentuk Seni Bina, Bangunan dan Struktur Competition Category.

PerakSeni Bina· 2026

Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

A' Design Award Perak Winner in Seni Bina 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 Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti

Teks Buku: Terletak di dalam pekan bersejarah Wuzhen, Ascending Ground meneroka dialog antara kekekalan dan keterbukaan menerusi sebuah perpustakaan komuniti kontemporari. Isipadu bata kelabu kitar semula menambat bangunan ini kepada tradisi tempatan, manakala teres, platform, dan bukaan terukir menjana pergerakan yang mengalir serta pemandangan berbingkai. Suatu ruang kosong tengah yang dipenuhi cahaya memperkenalkan alam semula jadi dan aktiviti sosial, menjelmakan perpustakaan ini menjadi sebuah lanskap ruang berlapis yang menghubungkan seni bina, cahaya siang, dan memori bandar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Perak

Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti ialah pemenang A' Design Award Perak, pengiktirafan yang sangat berprestij yang dianugerahkan kepada reka bentuk bertaraf tinggi, indah dan mengagumkan. Pemenang Perak ialah karya yang amat cemerlang dan sangat kreatif yang menggambarkan kepakaran, bakat dan ketajaman fikiran yang luar biasa pereka bentuknya. Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti diharapkan menjadi karya yang menakjubkan, contoh teladan, sangat profesional dan sangat inovatif. Reka bentuk pemenang A' Design Award Perak ini ialah ciptaan yang sangat ketara dan dikagumi yang memberi manfaat kepada dan memajukan batas seni, sains, reka bentuk dan teknologi. Ascending Ground Fungsi Utama: Perpustakaan Komuniti ialah ciptaan yang sangat dicemburui yang membangkitkan keinginan, membawa perasaan positif dan mencetuskan rasa hairan serta kagum.

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