Merit Award in Architecture – Yangbei Village CCP Elderly Day-Care Center by Studio 10
Project Overview
Nestled in Guangdong’s mountainous Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, this dual-purpose center addresses ruralrevitalization and aging community challenges. Commissioned by Wancheng, it serves as both elderly daycare andcommunal hub in a village affected by youth migration. Key priorities included preserving multi-ethnic cultural identity(Yao and Hakka), integrating modern and accessible public amenities and spaces, and fostering intergenerationalconnections within rural budgetary constraints.
Located beside the S250 highway, the center maintains its original courtyard layout to balance openness with privacy.Mature trees were preserved, and strategically placed entrances enhance accessibility. Building heights respect thevillage’s vernacular scale, while a skylight tower with abstracted Yao motifs serves as a visual landmark. Large openingsface inward to shield interiors from noise and external views.
Materials blend tradition and modernity: earth-toned stucco walls resonate with traditional rammed-earth textures ofYao villages, while hollow brick screens reference local decorative practices, maintaining privacy without compromisingnatural ventilation. A concrete canopy unifies the fragmented structures, creating shaded “gray spaces” for gatheringsbeneath and a theater above with designated stairs access for the Yao’s traditional song and dance—a centuries-oldbonding-and-storytelling practice. Locally sourced materials, including vintage embossed glass windows and terrazzoflooring, complement passive climate-responsive strategies rooted in regional wisdom. These elements—paired withrain-sheltering eaves and natural ventilation—anchor the center in its cultural and ecological context. By harmonizingheritage with contemporary elderly-care needs other basic public services, the center revives Yangbei’s social fabric,transforming a fragmented site into a resilient nexus of community life.
Project History
As a strategic component of the Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County Multi-Town Rural Revitalization Belt, the projectlaunched in November 2021 and completed in December 2023, serving as both an elderly daycare facility andcommunal hub in a village impacted by youth migration. Addressing rural hollowing and aging, it supports elderlyresidents by preserving multi-ethnic cultural identity (Yao and Hakka), integrating modern and accessible amenities,and fostering intergenerational connections within budget constraints. The design integrates principles of accessibility,sustainability, and cultural continuity, ensuring the center meets the village’s long-term needs while becoming a lastingcommunity asset.
Project Team
Architect : Shi Zhou
Company : Studio 10
Associate Architect: –
Owner: Vanke
