Project 2: Research in Asian Architecture

1. The School of Kunqu Opera
in West Creek Village
Research Title:
Sustenance of local place and cultural identity through
application of contextual architectural design considerations in
the School of Kunqu Opera, West Creek Village, China.

2. This research aims to identify the role of architecture in
contributing towards the sustainability of local place and cultural
identity through contextual design responses to the West Creek
Village, Kunshan in the design scheme of the School of Kunqu
Opera. We are interested to study the different methods of
contextual designs used and how they contribute towards a certain
aspect of either preserving the place or/and cultural identity.
Abstract

3. Research Background
West Creek Village, Kunshan is the birthplace of the
infamous Kunqu Opera, and is also an archaeological site
featuring cultural artifacts from the Shang and Zhou Dynasty.
Unfortunately, due to modern day urbanisation, traditional
villages are being reformed, people start migrating into the
city, leading to a deterioration of these villages including West
Creek Village. Once these areas are overtaken by
modernization, there will be little to nothing left to define the
place it once was. This raises the issue of loss of place and
cultural identity, and a thought on how architecture can adopt
these local contextual elements and adapt them into its design
to preserve place and cultural identity.

4. Methodology
Content analysis Case studyData collection method
Organize and elicit meaning from
the data collected and draw realistic
conclusions from a broad surface
structure after high degree of
examination and evaluation of data.
Provides qualitative research data as
an inductive approach to develop
research study on the preservation of
local place and cultural identity from
a holistic perspective through
examines from a real life
contemporary phenomenon.
Data collected from secondary
sources such as books, reports and
scholarly articles through online and
offline resources after examined
carefully.

6. 1. How can the place identity of the village be preserved without demolishing
the existing old buildings？
2. How can architecture fulfill the role of translating and informing the
historical identity of the place?
3. How can local craftsmanship be implemented in the preservation of cultural
identity so that it can be recognised and appreciated by the locals?
4. What are the ways to preserve the social memories of the old buildings
through the design of the School of Kunqu Opera?
5. How to preserve the historical identity of the birthplace of Kunqu Opera
through the architectural user and symbolic function of the School of
Kunqu Opera?
6. How does the School of Kunqu Opera adapt traditional architectural
construction methods and traditions to contribute towards the conservation
of local cultural identity?
Research Questions

7. Urbanisation leads to demolition of
old buildings causing loss of
identity.
Instead of demolishing the old
buildings, the original footprint of
the building in terms of foundation
and material can be reused to
preserve the place identity.
The school is built on the foundation
of three previously demolished old
houses and renovation of another
existing old house.
Old clay tiles from debris on site are
collected to be reused as infill for metal
copings as the local did traditionally.
Issue
1
Solution
1
Case
Study

8. 1
昆
曲 Urbanisation leads to demolition of old
buildings causing loss of place identity.
From a realistic viewpoint, old buildings cannot suit the practical and economical requirements of the modern world. e.g with
the same build up area as an old house, a high rise condominium is able to house more people which is definitely more
economically attractive.
Some argue that old buildings are unable to fit into the whole modern aesthetics of the urban fabric, hence are quickly denied
of any value worth.
Issue
Figure 1.1 Residential buildings are demolished to make
room for skyscrapers in Shanghai ( Source: Woetzel, 2014)

9. Solution 1
Instead of demolishing the old buildings, the original footprint of the building in terms of
foundation and material can be reused to preserve the place identity.
New building can be built on the
original footprint of the building in
terms of foundation to maintain the
urban fabric of the town.
Figure 1.2 The facade of the building was
made of different types of reused materials (
Source: portlandbathrepair, 2018)
Figure 1.4 An auditorium converted into a
theatre. (Source: Wikipedia, 2019)
Figure 1.3 Close up of the materials used
for the facade of the building. (Source:Bill,
et al., 2013)
Local materials can be reused to
preserve the place identity.
Alternate way to preserve the place
identity is through adaptive reuse, a
process of retrofitting the old
buildings for new uses (Clark,
2008).

10. Case Study
Historical Value
The School of Kunqu Opera is built on the foundation of three previously teared down old houses and renovation of
another existing old house. The existing old house is renovated to serve the function as the students’ dormitory, kitchen and
canteen (Shen, 2017) .
Figure 1.5 Image of the remained village house that was abandoned. ( Source:
Shen, 2017)

11. Case Study
By building according to the urban fabric of the village, the new building is able to fit in the site without disrupting the
existing pedestrian circulation and the relationship with the nature features found on the site.
The School of Kunqu Opera also adopted the method of reused building materials. The old traditional clay tiles from debris
on site are collected to be used as infill for metal copings as the local did traditionally (Shuang, 2018).
Figure 1.6 Old tiles are used as metal copings for wall
and railing. (Source: Shuang, 2018).

12. Absence of a place marker to
identify and define West Creek
Village as the birthplace of Kunqu
has caused a loss of place identity in
areas that have significant historical
context and rich layers of social
memories.
Provide a place marker which also
serve as a functional space based on
history of place derived from
existing old buildings to act as
cultural platform.
The building is given the function as
an academy for the Kunqu opera in
respect to the historical context of
the area as the birthplace of Kunqu
opera.
Issue
2
Solution
2
Case
Study

13. Absence of place marker to define West
Creek Village as the birthplace of Kunqu
causes loss of place identity.
2
The birthplace of the art of Kunqu is the West Creek Village in Jiangsu, China. But the absence of a placemarker to identify and
define the village as the birthplace of Kunqu has caused the village to lose their place identity that have significant historical
context and rich layers of social memories. Accompanied by the ever developing urban city , this has caused the rural residents of
the village to move out which further adds to gradual depletion of memory of the place .
Issue 2
昆
曲
Figure 2.1 Place identity of a place marks by the placemarker
(Source: Pu, 2017)

14. Solution 2
Provide a place marker which also serve as a functional space based on history of place derived from
existing old buildings to act as cultural platform.
The cultural platform serves as the landmark of the cultural and place identity of the village as the birthplace of the art of
Kunqu.
The introduction of a the School of Kunqu Opera also serves to educate and bestow the cultures and history of the art to the
younger generation so that the social memory and cultural identity of the art lives on.
Figure 2.2 The transformation of brick kiln to
brick kiln cultural centre (Source: Pu, 2017)
Figure 2.4 Draws local back to the village
and protect their old buildings. (Source: Pu,
2017)
Figure 2.3 Located at the entrance of the
village serves as placemarker (Source: Pu,
2017)

15. Case Study
The West Creek Village is the birthplace of the art of Kunqu and antique cultural relics that dates back to the Shang and
Zhou Dynasty are also discovered in the village (Shuang, 2018).
In order to maintain this cultural memory and to revitalize the village to its original culture and essence as the birthplace
Kunqu , the local government had decided to build the School of Kunqu Opera as a symbolic place marker to remind and to
promote the history and the regeneration of the village (Shen, 2017).
Figure 2.5 Kunqu performance held at the School
of Kunqu Opera (Source:Gu, 2018)
Figure 2.6 The School of Kunqu Opera located at
the Southwest of West Creek Village (Source: Cui,
2019)
Historical Value

16. Courtyard
Building
Bamboo
pavilion stage
Case Study
The original river water-land relationship and the original courtyard layout is preserved and redesign into four smaller
courtyards with organic composition of space (Shen, 2017).
From the studies of hundreds poems of “Yushan Yaji”, the context, and artistic conception described in the poem is presented
through modern architectural approach to recreate the cultural life of ancient Chinese literati (Shen, 2017).
Figure 2.7 Original site layout (Source: Shuang,
2018)
Figure 2.9 The School of Kunqu Opera built
preserves the original courtyard layout (Source:
Shuang, 2018)
Figure 2.8 The courtyard layout derived from the original
site condition implemented to the School of Kunqu Opera
(Source: Cui, 2019)
Spatial Organization

17. Figure 3.10 The Kunqu score forms bamboo wall that creates bamboo shadows for the students to dance on (Source:Hui, 2016)
Courtyard
Building
Case Study
The bamboo gallery surrounding the courtyard is made of bamboo of same length but arranged in various distance to imitate the
charm of Kunqu score.
The spacing between each bamboo is according to the tonality of Kunqu opera song, 《牡丹亭》(Peony pavilion) (Shen, 2017).
The bamboo spacing is large when the Kunqu song’s tonality is high and vice versa (Shuang, 2018).
Kunqu Tonality Bamboo Wall

18. Lack of adoption of traditional
construction methods and materials
leading to loss of cultural identity
Application of traditional construction
methods and materials to preserve
original craftsmanship and engage
local community
By the application of traditional
hollow brick construction and white
grass mud finishes on wall which
requires skills from local craftsmen
and adaptation of conventional
materials
Issue
3
Solution
3
Case
Study

19. 3
Lack of adoption of traditional
construction methods and materials
leading to loss of cultural identity.
The advent of newer construction and material such as concrete and steel have largely replaced the conventional construction
such as brick and bamboo constructions.
The undeniable advantages to the modern technology such as faster construction timespan, better material bearing capacity diverts
the locals away from their traditional ways of construction.
This will gradually lead to homogenization in terms of loss of cultural diversification in regional architectural and a loss of
cultural identity of a place.
昆
曲
Issue
Figure 3.1 Modern architecture constructed of steel structure
(Source: ATAD, 2017)

20. Pays respect and commemorate
traditional culture through the
continuation of the traditional
constructional skills of local
craftsman.
Application of traditional construction methods and materials to preserve original craftsmanship
and engage local community.
Figure 3.4 Bamboo curtain wall
(Source: Zhang, 2018)Figure 3.2 White grass mud finished walls layout
(Source: Zhang, 2018)
Figure 3.3 White grass mud finished walls
(Source: Zhang, 2018)
Solution 3
The school exemplifies itself as a
platform for the adaptation of
traditional material.
The knowledge and skills associated
with traditional original crafts need to
transcend generations to prevent it
eventually be lost to time (Bassa &
Kiss, 2011).

21. Case Study
Traditional hollow brick wall
The outer walls of school are hollow brick walls with the bricks’ flats and sides alternately built, constitute a
stable air separation layer to provide better thermal insulation performance.
As a traditional construction in Jiang Nan dwellings encourages the involvement of locals who possessed great
skills thus enhances the relationship with the native culture.
Figure 3.5 Hollow brick wall
(Source: Zhang, 2018)
Figure 3.6 Air separation layer in
between bricks (Source: Zhang, 2018)

22. Case Study
White grass mud finishes
Walls on ground are made up of light heat-preserved bricks covered by white grass mud (Han, 2018).
A strong local characteristic possess by advocating traditional culture, according to local climatic
condition, so as to achieve a state of symbiotic coexistence within local community and cultural identity.
Figure 3.7 White grass mud finished wall
(Source: Han, 2018)
Figure 3.8 Close-up view
(Source: Han, 2018)

23. Case Study
Bamboo has noble character in Chinese culture, it is widely used in the project as non-structural elements in
the school.
The old-time building material is used in combination with new technology of steel structural framing
system and contemporary usage is given.
Figure 3.9 Bamboo curtain walls around courtyard
(Source: Zhang. 2018)
Figure 3.10 Bamboo railings with steel frame
(Source: Zhang. 2018)
Figure 3.11 Bamboo ceilings
(Source: Zhang. 2018)

24. Case Study
The utilization of bamboo material in landscape architecture and garden such as pavillion made by bamboo is
very common in Chinese gardens.
Figure 3.12 Bamboo pivot doors with steel frame
(Source: Han, 2018)
Figure 3.13 Bamboo window
(Source: Han, 2018)
Figure 3.14 Pavilion stage with
bamboo finishings
(Source: Han, 2018)

25. Conclusion
Through the School of Kunqu Opera, the cultural identity and
social memory of the place is able to be rejuvenated and
preserved. The involvement of traditional architecture is also
able to safeguard the place identity. In respect to this, we
should be aware of the issues happening in our local context,
so that we are able to provide intrinsic solutions and
initiatives to sustain the historical value and cultural essence
of place to prevent it to be eventually lost to time.

26. Abstract
Shen, Y. T. (2017, November 23). Yijing zaixian、wenhua zaixing、cunzhuang zaisheng——Xibang cun Kunqu Xueshe de chuangzuo silu jiexi [2017.10 Artistic
Representation, Cultural Rejuvenation, Village Regeneration——An Analysis of the Creative Thinking of the Xiqu Village Kunqu Academy].
Retrieved from: http://www.sohu.com/a/206388890_654278
Yang, J. (2018, April 28). Con xianjian minfang tuibian cheng Kunqu xueshe [Transformation of a Village House to a Kunqu Academy].
Retrieved from: https://itw01.com/GFQ2FE3.htm
Research Background
SABCNewsOnline. (2015, September 23). Culture and urbanisation.
Retrieved from: https://social.shorthand.com/SABCNewsOnline/n2bbr2uQCc/culture-and-urbanisation
Tong, L. S. (2016, March 23). Kunshan: The home of Kunqu opera.
Retrieved June 9, 2019, from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/jiangsu/kunshan/2016-03/23/content_24063281.htm
Issue 1
Clark, D. (2008, January 4). Adapting an Older Building for a New Use.
Retrieved June 9, 2019, from https://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/5837/title/adapting-an-older-building-for-a-new-use
Shuang, H. (Ed.). (2018, April 20). The School of Kunqu Opera in West Creek Village / China Architecture Design Group Land-based Rationalism D.R.C.
Retrieved June 9, 2019, from
https://www.archdaily.com/892676/the-school-of-kunqu-opera-in-west-creek-village-china-architecture-design-group-land-based-rationalism-drc
Woetzel, J. (2014, May 9). What everyone is getting wrong about urbanization in China.
Retrieved June 8, 2019, from https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1508267/what-everyone-getting-wrong-about-urbanization-china
References

27. Issue 2
Mayes, T. M. (2018). Why Old Places Matter: How Historic Places Affect Our Identity and Well-Being. Rowman & Littlefield.
Yang, J. H. (Ed.). (2018, April 28). Cong xiangjian mingfang ruibian cheng「Kunqu Xueshe」[The Beautiful Transformation from Village House to the School of
Kunqu Opera]. Kunshan Ri Bao.
Retrieved from https://itw01.com/GFQ2FE3.html.
Shen, Y. T. (2017, November 23). Yijing zaixian、wenhua zaixing、cunzhuang zaisheng——Xibang cun Kunqu Xueshe de chuangzuo silu jiexi [2017.10 Artistic
Representation, Cultural Rejuvenation, Village Regeneration——An Analysis of the Creative Thinking of the Xiqu Village Kunqu Academy].
Retrieved from http://www.sohu.com/a/206388890_654278
Issues 3
Jin, X., & Dewancker, B. (2017). Analysis of the Ecological Ideas in Chinese Traditional Dwelling Houses and Its Inspiration to Green Buildings. JAILCD, 1-6.
Retrieved from:
https://www.academia.edu/30753924/Analysis_of_the_Ecological_Ideas_in_Chinese_Traditional_Dwelling_Houses_and_Its_Inspiration_to_Green_Buildings
Guangyuan, Zhang. (2018, April 20). The School of Kunqu Opera in West Creek Village China Architecture Design Group Land. New Rushi net.
Retrieved from: http://new.rushi.net/Home/Works/detail/id/218470.html
Bassa, L., & Kiss, F. (July 2011). Preservation of Traditional Craftsmanship Practices. Foundation for Information Society INFOTA Research Institute, Budapest,
Hungary.
Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236862057_Preservation_of_Traditional_Craftsmanship_Practices
References

28. Pr
int
ed
Thank you