Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Majengo, Ujenzi na Miundo Competition Category.

FedhaUsanifu wa Majengo· 2026

Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award Winner in Usanifu wa Majengo Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181487

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii

Iliyojengwa ndani ya mji wa kihistoria wa Wuzhen, Ascending Ground inachunguza mazungumzo kati ya udumu na uwazi kupitia maktaba ya kisasa ya jamii. Mafungu ya matofali ya kijivu yaliyorejelezwa yanaweka jengo katika mizizi ya tamaduni za eneo, huku matuta, majukwaa, na mianya iliyochongwa vikizalisha mwendo unaotiririka na mandhari yenye mfumo. Nafasi tupu ya kati iliyojaa nuru inaleta asili na shughuli za kijamii, ikibadilisha maktaba kuwa mandhari ya kimazingira yenye tabaka inayounganisha usanifu, mwanga wa mchana, na kumbukumbu za mijini.

The Recognition

About the Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award

Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima kubwa ya ajabu unaotolewa kwa miundo ya hali ya juu kabisa, ya kupendeza na ya kuvutia. Washindi wa Fedha ni kazi zinazong'aa mno na bunifu kupita kiasi zinazoonyesha utaalamu bora, kipaji na busara ya wabunifu wao. Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii inatarajiwa kuwa kazi nzuri ya kuigwa ambayo ni ya kitaalamu kwa kiasi kikubwa na yenye ubunifu wa kina. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Fedha ya A' Design Award ni uvumbuzi unaojulikana sana na kupendwa, unaonufaisha na kupanua mipaka ya sanaa, sayansi, usanifu na teknolojia. Ascending Ground Maktaba ya Jamii ni kazi inayotamaniwa mno inayochochea hamu, huleta hisia chanya na huzua mshangao na mastaajabu.

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