-
Architects: DC ALLIANCE
- Area: 42000 m²
- Year: 2013
-
Photographs:Lyu Hengzhong
Text description provided by the architects. The buildings along the pedestrian streets of Nanjing Confucius Temple were built in 1980s in the style of Ming and Qing dynasties. The status of the facades was very bad and it also didn’t fit the modern functions. The complex relationship between leasehold and ownership increased the difficulty of renovation. The design gives consideration both to commercial plans and the upgrading of business models. Innovation and tradition are both valued to enhance the cultural significance as well as commercial atmosphere of the area.
The renovation of the facade and the redesign of landscape, lighting, shop signs, tourism signs and the indicator system are based on the business planning and adjustment of commercial formats. Besides, a smooth circulation alongside Qinhuai River is developed. Capillary-like accesses are built to link up the Gongyuan Street and Qinhuai River, and they integrate the commercial streets and the river in a modern way.
While renovating the facades, both modern and traditional languages are applied according to different functions, and the charm of the traditional architecture is reinterpreted by contemporary materials. This enables the renovated Confucius Temple to present as integration of NEW and OLD. Meanwhile the separation of “building element” and “shop element” is formulated carefully to ensure the diversity of the commerce as well as the quality of architecture.
