Honor Awarded in the International Competition for the Regeneration of Xuanxi North area of Beijing Hutongs | Akhmadullin Architects

The general idea that this art-space will be a sort of "educational&entertaining district", where every citizen and tourist find their understanding of the historical and cultural identity. Proposed “art-incubator” becomes a mental intangible door to our past and a place of collective memory. All of these features will help in the development of the China self-identity.
Reconstruction of scholars atmosphere - the basic principle of the block organization. Proposed architectural strategy creates minimal impact on the architectural and visual perception of the place and fully integrates into the existing Beijing structure, takes advantage of accessibility from different part of the city, refers to the past architecture traditions.
Concept of the district development is both high performance and low cost, as it works with existing local resources and improve the current situation.
"Art incubator" is an intention to create a new, full of life center of culture, history, communication and exchange of ideas. The main leitmotif of the project proposal - an attempt to create an objects not as a physical buildings, but rather a new space of collective memory and identity, a meeting place for people and stories, the system of open spaces, where the spectacular environment integrates with the rich cultural activities.
Relationship between "Art incubator" and local society is the main subject of this project it required significant studying the topic related to this specific field of architectural design and urban development. Another interesting point is that all talented people and craftsman’s have the chance to demonstrate their skills, such as:
a) Chinese opera:
- singing
- dancing
- acrobatic
- music
- mime
- masks
- make-up
b) Calligraphy
c) Traditional Chinese painting
d) Wax printing
e) Paper cutting
f) traditional food market
The solution that we have made came from believes in potential of contemporary architecture has dialog and breathe new life into historically and culturally important places, to help communicate their significance and spread new awareness of their value. We think that balance between new life of site and historical meaning has found in our project without either degrading it.