Set within Nanjing, China's rapidly transforming urban landscape, Metamorphosis explores how cultural interventions can mediate between historical preservation and contemporary development. This 2021 project investigates architecture's capacity to serve as a bridge between past and future urban identities.
The intervention is positioned within Nanjing's historic fabric, where traditional courtyard houses meet modern high-rise development. The project seeks to create dialogue between these contrasting urban conditions through sensitive architectural mediation.
The design develops a contemporary architectural vocabulary that references traditional Chinese spatial principles while employing modern materials and construction techniques. This hybrid approach creates a new typology that is both contextually responsive and programmatically innovative.
The building houses cultural programs including exhibition spaces, performance venues, and community meeting areas that serve both local residents and the broader city. These programs activate the street level while creating connections between interior and exterior spaces.
Beyond its immediate function, Metamorphosis demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can influence broader patterns of urban development. The project serves as a catalyst for neighborhood improvement while preserving the area's distinctive character and community networks.