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Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi by Hao Zhong

Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award كۈمۈش مۇكاپاتى in بىناچىلىق، ئىمارەت ۋە قۇرۇلما لايىھەلەش Competition Category.


كۈمۈشبىناچىلىق· 2026

Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi

by Hao Zhong

Client: Hao Zhong

A' Design Award كۈمۈش مۇكاپاتى Winner in بىناچىلىق Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi

Kitab Tékisti: Tarixiy Wuzhen shehiride ornashqan «Ascending Ground», zamaniwiy jamaet kutupxanisi arqiliq turaqliqliq bilen ochuqluq otturisidiki sözleshni izdeydu. Qayta ishlitilgen kül reng xish jismlar binani yerlik en'enige baghlaydu, terassilar, sekkiler we oyulghan éghizlar suyuqlinish heriketi we ramkilanghan körünüshlerni peyda qilidu. Merkiziy nur bilen tolghan boshluq tebiet we ijtimaiy paaliyetni élip kiridu, kutupxanini memarchiliq, kündüzki nur we sheher xatirisini baghlaydighan qatlamliq boshluq menzirisige aylanduridu.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award كۈمۈش مۇكاپاتى

Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi A' Design Award كۈمۈش مۇكاپاتىنىڭ غالىبى، بۇ گۈزەل، ئۇلۇغۋار ۋە تەسىرلىك ئەڭ يۇقىرى دەرىجىلىك لايىھىلەرگە بېرىلىدىغان ئالاھىدە ئابرويلۇق ئېتىراپتۇر. كۈمۈش غالىبلىرى لايىھىلىگۈچىلىرىنىڭ ئالاھىدە ماھارىتى، ئىستېدادى ۋە ئۆتكۈرلۈكىنى كۆرسىتىدىغان ناھايىتى پارلاق ۋە ئىنتايىن ئىجادىي ئەسەرلەردۇر. Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi ئاجايىپ، ئۈلگىلىك، ئالاھىدە كەسپىي ۋە چوڭقۇر يېڭىلىقچان ئەسەر بولۇشى ئۈمىد قىلىنىدۇ. A' Design Award كۈمۈش مۇكاپاتىنى يەڭگەن بۇ لايىھە سەنئەت، ئىلىم-پەن، لايىھە ۋە تېخنىكىنىڭ چېگرالىرىنى كېڭەيتىدىغان ناھايىتى دىققەتكە سازاۋەر، ھەيرانلىق بىلەن كۆرۈلىدىغان ئىختىرا. Ascending Ground Asasiy Wezipisi: Jamaet Kutupxanisi كۆپچىلىك ھەۋەس قىلىدىغان، ئارزۇ-ئىستەكلەرنى قوزغايدىغان، ئىجابىي ھېسسىياتلارنى ئېلىپ كېلىدىغان ھەمدە ھەيرانلىق ۋە قايىللىق پەيدا قىلىدىغان ئىجادىيەت.

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

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