Rambling in the Village
Shopping Mall in Sheung Wan
City University of Hong Kong
BArch Year 3
Tutor: Ivan Ip
Location: Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
The project is strongly enlightened and inspired by the mid-rise buildings and the problem of open space near the site. It leads to the question about possibility of different form of mini shopping mall and different types of open space. After pondering in many times, It was discovered that the best thing near the site is a slow lifestyle contained by mid-rise old buildings inside Sheung Wan. When people are walking through the sloped Aberdeen Street to that old district, they can look up to the vintage buildings, the blue sky; look at the drawings inside the art gallery, sports activities by some old men.
The rhythm and lifestyle suddenly become slow and relax. For me, this vibe and atmosphere is similar to "Rambling", which means to move about aimlessly through or over, inside those mid-rise old buildings with a strong community connection which is similar to a village. Thus, the theme, Rambling in the Village, and a through of promoting slow culture with strong community connection finally come out.
-
Building Form
One of the most important characteristics of village is the low rise buildings, all houses inside the village are low-rise, only 2-3 stroeys high. By adapting the form of village, visitors can feel closer with the shopping mall.
-Circulation:
The design of circulation area inside the village is also quite special. It contains a very high degree of connectivity between each house. Also, in terms of rambling, the width and condition of circulation area can really achieve that feeling.
-
Shop Layouts
The design of shops in village or traditional architecture are quite different with modern shops. The traditional shops would not just use the indoor air-conditioned area for retailing. They would hang or display the goods outside to draw people attention. Also, in term of rambling, the traditional shops would not encourage people flow very fast and provide a comfortable shopping space, sometimes, they may talk with the neighborhood after they visited. So that by adapting this, visitors can ramble inside the shops.
-
Open Space
In village, open space occupied a lot of area. The inhabitant would use the open space to do many things, such as discussing, meeting, having meals, playing, resting. Also, there is no rules inside the open space, the inhabitant can sit on grass and play music freely. Adapting this features and combining with a better environment can enhance the relax feeling of visitors, so that they can ramble there.
-
Materials
In village, the houses are used raw materials without any elegant finishes, mainly no finishes or use colored paint. By adapting this features, visitors can feel that they are staying in a very simple and original area.
