Reuse the legacy of abandoned food barns

 [WHAT]

This thesis aims to look into vernacular modernism in rural china in the case of abandoned food barn. It will not only focus on reuse of food barns, but how traditional strategies could be applied to new type of architecture which is created by the new programs brought to the countryside.

Food barn has been existed in China since Stone Age (Du, 2015) with various forms, from stone cylindrical structure to mud cave. In different part of china or even in the same village, different types of barns were used to store different things such as vegetable, rice and fruits. In 1960s, under huge political pressure, almost every village has its own food barns in case of famine and war. However, it started to be abandoned since 1980s due to the change in policy and decrease in ‘real farmers’.  Nowadays, with the ‘out of control’ development in rural China, many vernacular houses have been destroyed. Food barns, since they are not privately owned, are still standing there. However, if no action is taken soon, they will disappear as other buildings.

food-barns-in-qi-village anling-village qiaotoushili shishuyangyaotou-village lvbukeng-village yaojiadou wangdian-michang-sushi

(photos taken by Yajing Jiang and Yusi Wang )

 

[WHY]

Why food barns?

  1. Traditional Chinese architecture are disappearing.
  2. Food barns are the epitome of vernacular architecture across the country, since they are constructed by traditional building skills and local materials such as mud and stone. In addition, they are the production of the intelligent traditional passive design strategies.
  3. Food barns were communal place for villagers where they gather to play, chat, enjoy the sun or watch movies.
  4. Food barns are owned by government or the public, so it is easier to reuse them to benefit the surrounding community.
  5. Food barns indicate the primary food in that region and the process of storage.

Their shape, form and size are affected by the food they are designed to store. For example, the food barns for rice are always circular in plan, in order to follow the shape of grain pile and to better distribute the force.

  1. Almost every villages has food barns, therefore, the project done in one place could be potentially applied to other places.

Why regenerate?

  1. To record the traditional architectural technology and apply them innovatively. (cultural value)
  2. To store memories of villagers as well as the county. (historical value)

E.g. The famine in 1950s / the development in food production/ the social life taken place around food barns

 

[HOW]

1. What makes food barns special?

Research on the values of vernacular architecture (food barns)

– aesthetic

– material

– construction

– design strategies (thermal, ventilation…difference for different food)

– performance (temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, etc.)

Find out what are most special characteristics of food barn and see what can be done with that

2. What new programs could be applied?

Research on the invisible networks between city and countryside in terms of food production.

People living in the city tend to drive to villages to buy food from farmers directly.

Food safety has become a serious issue in china nowadays. Fake egg, polluted meat and toxic vegetables scare citizens. In addition, the development of high way system has shortened the horal distance between city and countryside. Therefore, more and more people chose to drive to villages and buy food from reliable farmers directly. Later, they might rent a land there and grow their own food with the help of farmers. By doing this, farmers become teachers while urban dwellers students. New type of architecture could be generated along the development of this new food producing and consuming system. Food barns could be turned into places where farmers and customers meet and talk. Then the traditional architectural strategies (e.g. Ventilation & thermal comfort ) can be applied to derived buildings. For example, the factory to produce soil and fertilizer for organic farming, houses for short stay and workshops for cooking.

Further research: how to grow organic food? What are special plants grow on site? The land leasing policy in villages.

how2

(mind map: Process of program generation)

3.choose the site

some where in Lishui, Zhejing province, China

within 1 hour driving from city center

 

Bibliography

Ciancio, Daniela.,  and Beckett Christopher. Rammed Earth Construction Cutting-Edge Research on Traditional and Modern Rammed Earth. CRC Press 2015

Lefaivre, Liane., and Tzonis Alexander. Critical regionalism : architecture and identity in a globalised world. Munich : Prestel, 2003.

Lejeune, Jean-François., and Sabatino Michelangelo. Modern architecture and the Mediterranean : vernacular dialogues and contested identities. London ; New York : Routledge, 2010.

Mallgrave, Harry Francis,.  and Goodman David.  Introduction to Architectural Theory : 1968 to the Present. Malden, MA : Wiley-Blackwell, c2011.

Du, Baoren., 杜葆仁. The origin and development of food barn in Chin.我国粮仓的起源和发展. China Academy Journal, 2015.

Website

http://malcolmelee.com/filter/built/ghost-barn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vim5d5AF4Lw

http://www.dezeen.com/2016/06/09/brian-mackay-lyons-adds-pre-rusted-steel-cabin-nova-scotia-estate-architecture/

http://www.iconeye.com/architecture/features/item/11031-rem-koolhaas-in-the-country

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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