Built in 1985, the Xiangyang Workers’ Cultural Palace is located near the ramp of the Fenchu Bridge in the Fancheng District. Once a cherished memory for many residents of Xiangyang and a landmark of the People’s Square, it was known among workers for its perse functions—“playing music, playing sports, and taking photos.” However, with the rise of the market economy, the once-vibrant cultural palace gradually fell into disuse and now awaits a new lease on life.
In mid-2024, invited by the project owner, Xizhu design , in collaboration with the Tianjin University Research Institute of Architectura! Design and Urban Planning co., t td., undertook the renewal and renovation of the Xiangyang Workers’ Cultural Palace. Based on in-depth research into the site’s historical background and collective urban memory, the design team regarded the Cultural Palace as a key spatial node embodying the city’s development. The proposed strategy—"reviving the spirit of place through targeted interventions, and reactivating urban culture through gradual activation"—emphasized preserving the original historical fabric while introducing micro-renewals, point-based interventions, and perse public activities. Guided by the concept of “architectural symbiosis,” West-Line Studio explored approaches to harmonize the old and the new, extending the collective memory of the site while endowing it with renewed functional value. Through this process, the long-dormant Cultural Palace is envisioned to once again become a vital carrier of public cultural life in the city.
After completing a comprehensive safety assessment of the building, the sections identified as having higher risk levels were demolished first, including the side wings flanking the main hall and several structurally disorganized and functionally inefficient rooms on the southern side. Based on on-site conditions, the design team then repaired and reprogrammed the building’s functions without altering its original architectural outline. The northern section was reconfigured with an exhibition hall on the ground floor and multifunctional classrooms above, achieving both spatial integration and functional layering. On the southern side, the demolition created a long, narrow linear space. Given the unfavorable surrounding context—such as a nearby hospital and driving school—a leisure corridor was introduced in this area. This addition not only improved pedestrian circulation but also served as a buffer against external noise and visual disturbance, revitalizing the site and enhancing the overall environmental quality.
In response to the site's complex circulation patterns, we undertook a systematic reorganization of the overall flow in the renovation design. Located in Xiangyang’s old city district, the Workers’ Cultural Palace is surrounded by aging, high-density buildings, with limited open urban space. Therefore, the project focused on two primary goals: first, to create an open activity space that functions as an “urban living room,” and second, to transform the site into a green lung for the city by maximizing greenery.As a key design strategy, a semi-open outdoor staircase was added to the north side of the building, providing direct access to the rooftop and remaining fully open to the public. Citizens can ascend to the rooftop via this stairway, move through the rooftop garden, and descend through a linear ramp space on the south side to reach the urban plaza below. This creates a vertical circulation sequence—“roof–garden–plaza”—that strengthens the interaction between architecture, city, and people while expanding the possibilities for public use.In terms of landscape, the design incorporates as many gardens and green zones as possible, seamlessly integrating rooftop greenery with the plaza landscape. This strategy allows for a systematic and extensive expansion of green space, injecting new ecological vitality into the dense fabric of the old city.
In this renovation, the relevant authorities permitted a moderate increase in building area. Based on this guideline, we strategically placed the additional volume on the rooftop to minimize the impact on the existing structure and urban interface. One portion of the addition is located above the former skating rink, where a new floor slab was constructed to accommodate a multifunctional hall. Another portion was added above the auditorium, where a panoramic multifunctional classroom was built using lightweight steel structure. This new space not only visually connects with the People's Park to the southwest but also functions as an extension of the rooftop open garden, providing citizens with a richer and more engaging public activity space.
In the selection of architectural materials and colors, careful consideration was given to the historical context of the project’s location in Xiangyang’s old city district. The surrounding urban environment is dominated by shades of gray and white, and continuing with this existing palette would diminish the building’s visibility and distinctiveness. Therefore, we chose brick red—a color reminiscent of 1980s industrial architecture—as the primary tone. On one hand, this choice evokes a sense of nostalgia and collective memory associated with that era; on the other, it enhances the building’s visual identity within the muted urban fabric, reinforcing its presence as a cultural landmark in the city.
Proiectinformation
Project name:Renovation of Xiangyang Workers’ Cultural Palace
Design Team:Xizhu Architectural Design Firm+Tianjin University Research Institute of Architecturall Design and urban pianning co.,Ltd
Team Members: He Guangqian Wangrui Huang Qichuan Gaoyang Zengxiao Liqianyu
project's venue:Project Location: Xiangyang, Hubei Province
Building Area: 10540.90㎡