“One Versus Ten Thousands”: A Hometown Trilogy

The 3rd Stratagem: Kill with a borrowed sword
“One Versus Ten Thousands”: A Hometown Trilogy
How great the power of one person could be? The architect uses his full effort and resources to improve the environment of his hometown. In three phases, he designates this project as “Hometown Trilogy”. The principle is similar to acupuncture, in faith that a small stimulation of one’s own could have a ripple effect to influence the minds of the fellow villagers.

Trilogy Part 1: No Dust

The architect spent his childhood in an agricultural village in Guangzhou of southern China, which has now become a village-within-city. The majority of old vernacular houses have been taken down to give ways to high-rise tenement apartments for migrant workers, whilst the remaining ones are left deserted. The architect first removed the weeds and mud on the roof tiles of his ancestral home, used vacuum cleaner to clean the accumulated dust, and videophotographed the process. Through a public display of parade event, the architect calls for the local residents’ awareness and respect towards preservation of traditional houses.

Trilogy Part 2: Eastern Altar Project

At the four corners of the village, there were once altars and pavilions. These were so-called “The Eastern, Southern, Western and Northern Shi (Altars)”, the most important social venues in this village. However, due to the civic mindlessness of the migrant workers newly moved in, as well as the destruction caused by the Cultural Revolution the altars were damaged and left behind as trash. The architect redesigns the Eastern Altar and attempts to revitalize it as a social gathering space once again.
Trilogy Part 3: Ancestral Hall Project

In addition to the ancestral home, the architect’s family owes a small piece of residential land. Since it won’t be any compensation if a land has nothing to build on it, the architect is required to construct an unoccupied building with a low budget. Considering this challenge as an opportunity, the architect proposes to build a new family ancestral hall for open activities, using contemporary architectural languages for place making and reconnect the neighborhood.