Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso by Zehua Zhang

Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso by Zehua Zhang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Meaho, Dikaho le Dibopego Competition Category.

BoronseMeaho· 2026

Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso

by Zehua Zhang

Client: Zehua Zhang

Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Meaho Category

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Colors

The Design

About Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso

Time Catalyst ke tlhahiso e fetolang setsi sa khale sa ho etsa veine se Valencia hore se sebelisetsoe litaba tsa setso tsa sechaba. Moralo o boloka sebopeho se teng le lerako la litene ha o ntse o kenya likhechana tse eketsehileng ho ntlafatsa khanya, monyetla oa ho kena, le likhokahano lipakeng tsa kahare le kantle. Ka ho tlosa likarolo tsa marulelo, moqapi o etsa lebala la kahare le tlisang khanya ea letsatsi le sebaka se sebatuoeng kahara mohaho. Kahare ho amohela li-studio, lipontšo, le mesebetsi ea sechaba, ho leka-lekanya ho boloka le ho kenella ho khethiloeng ho lumella mohaho hore o lule o sebelisoa.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Time Catalyst Setsi sa Setso e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Time Catalyst transforms a historic Valencia winery into a vibrant cultural center where memory and vitality coexist. Honoring its structural framework, the exterior preserves the original brick texture, while rhythmic openings at the base blur inside and outside. Interior volumes with curved facades echo the exterior, fostering fluidity and continuity, and the site embodies both the heritage and the spirit of the Fallas festival in Valencia, bridging past and future.
Dimensions & Packaging: Two-story building with overall dimensions of 75 meters in width, 75 meters in depth, and 23 meters in height.
Tags: Historic preservation, adaptive reuse, brick facade, structural framework, spatial fluidity, interior-exterior continuity, cultural center, curved volumes, communal space
Production Technology: This design balances cultural heritage with contemporary interventions. The original brick facade was restored to preserve its texture, while curved glass panels echo its language. Inside, UHPC ultra thin concrete slabs and steel I beams combine lightness with structural stability. Computer-aided simulations and 3D modeling optimized spatial relationships, integrating old and new elements to create a dynamic, vibrant experience.
Design Challenge: The original materials and structure of the historic building were preserved, while selective demolition was carried out. Structural analysis was performed, and the feasibility and adaptability of introducing new building structures and materials were comprehensively evaluated.
Research: Type of Research: Design-based architectural research on adaptive reuse. Research Objectives: To convert a historic winery into a cultural center while preserving heritage and enhancing social use. Methodology: Analysis of history, structure, and environment, tested through simulations and models. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Archives, drawings, site photos, 3D modeling, daylight and airflow simulations, and material studies. Results: Informed spatial layouts, openings, and materials. Insights and Impacts: Demonstrated how historic buildings can support contemporary cultural life. Effect in Real Life: Promotes heritage preservation, community interaction, and sustainable design.
Inspiration: Time Catalyst is inspired by the dialogue between history and contemporary life. The old winery’s brick walls carry memory, and I aimed to preserve this while introducing new vitality. Valencia’s Fallas festival, with its communal energy and fluidity, inspired the building’s openness and curved interior volumes, blurring inside and outside. The design celebrates cultural heritage while activating the space for modern social and creative life.
Project Duration: The project started in June 2025 and was completed in October 2025
Operation Flow: This is a renovation and adaptive reuse project for an old winery, preserving its historical character while introducing new vitality, transforming it into a cultural center that provides a space for local residents and artists to connect and express their creativity. The main spaces include creative studios, artist workshops, a performance hall, classrooms, exhibition areas, and a public courtyard.