Exhibition Room in the Traditional Theater Stage and its Two Wings

Shaxi was a stopover on the ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail
and declined later due to modern transportation developing. After
the Shaxi Market Place nominated as one of the 100 most endangered
sites by World Monument Watch, Shaxi Rehabilitation Project (SRP)
was initiated by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology on behalf of
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, together with the
People’s Government of Jianchuan County.
As an important part of SRP, the conservation of the stage and its two
wings was based on restoration of the building and integrated with
adaptive function, in order to reintroduce the energy to the place. The
conservation carefully rebuilt a balanced system between heritage
value, daily life and regional development, in spite of many limitations
in materials, tools, craftsmanship, budget, function, schedule, etc.
However, the conservation strategy is not limited to the built heritage
itself. For instance, design has been applied to impact of visitors’
behaviors when the height limit of passage is unchangeable. With
a focus on heritage value enhancement and sustainable rural
development, creativity in this project is alternatively expressed
through interdisciplinary perspective, detailed analysis and capacity
for integration, rather than designing unique shape or applying
advanced materials and technologies.