Banshan1994 Commune in Shaoxing: A New Model for Urban Renewal

Completed by Office Canopy of Architecture, the Banshan1994 Commune is a community center and renovation initiative situated in Shaoxing, China. This project, finalized in 2024, is located in Shangyu's historic district and aims to rejuvenate underused properties, tackling urban renewal challenges in county-level cities. Architect Xu Tianxin's design approaches renovation as an 'open-source system,' weaving together various timelines, landscapes, and lifestyles, which results in a site-specific layered architectural experience. Covering an area of 4,416 square meters, the design team comprises Hu Yi, Yu Feixiang, Shi Xuefei, and others, while photographers Sai Zhao and Qingshan Wu captured the project. Curated by Han Shuang, it signifies a shift in Chinese urbanization towards revitalizing existing buildings, emphasizing ongoing creation over static preservation.