Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad by Qianshuang Song

Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad by Qianshuang Song is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Silver in Kulturarvs- och Kulturindustridesign Competition Category.

SilverKulturarv· 2026

Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad

by Qianshuang Song

A' Design Award i Silver Winner in Kulturarv Category

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The Design

About Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad

Beyond the Green Hills är en renovering av ett bostadshus i Huizhou-stil i Huangshan, Anhui-provinsen, Kina. Designen följer ett varsamt förhållningssätt med lätta ingrepp. Vita väggar och mörka takpannor bevaras, fönsterproportionerna justeras och detaljer som takfot och spröjsverk läggs till. En glasvolym på innergården binder samman byggnaderna och släpper in ljus, luft och grönska. Loft i souterrängplan berikar annexet. Detaljerad uppmätning och 3D-skanning låg till grund för en digital modell som användes för att planera de strukturella förändringarna. Den totala byggnadsytan är 1 432 kvadratmeter.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Silver

Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad är vinnare av A' Design Award i Silver, ett utomordentligt prestigefyllt erkännande som tilldelas förstklassiga, hänförande och imponerande designverk i toppskiktet. Silvervinnare är oerhört briljanta och utomordentligt kreativa verk som illustrerar sina formgivares enastående expertis, talang och skarpsinne. Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad förväntas vara ett underbart paradexempel som är anmärkningsvärt professionellt och djupt innovativt. Detta vinnande verk i A' Design Award i Silver är en mycket uppmärksammad, beundrad uppfinning som gagnar och flyttar fram gränserna för konst, vetenskap, design och teknik. Beyond the Green Hills Renovering av kulturhistorisk byggnad är en skapelse som avundas starkt, som väcker längtan, förmedlar positiva känslor och väcker förundran och häpnad.

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