In the heart of Haotang Village, Henan province, Carpenter’s Home represents a renaissance of local craftsmanship. Designed by Primary Architects, this 405-square-meter timber workshop marks the resurgence of woodworking as both a cultural keystone and a vibrant profession. The project forms part of the village’s ‘Eight Traditional Crafts Revival Program’ and stands where an old woodworking shed of local carpenter Zhang once rested.
A roof rooted in nature’s rhythm
The architects envisioned the workshop’s roof as an extension of the surrounding mountainous landscape. Following the site’s natural slope, twelve gracefully curved glued-laminated timber beams sweep downward, merging architectural form with the topography. Skylights delicately puncture the timber shell, channeling the sun’s warmth to illuminate the workspace below.
Engineering innovation meets tradition
The workshop’s interiors break new ground through digitally fabricated timber spans that stretch up to 26 meters without intrusive supports. This hybrid system melds glued timber with steel connection nodes, culminating in a fluid, open-plan layout. Here, traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery intertwines with contemporary timber technologies, showcasing continuous threads between past and present.
A space of labor, learning, and community
At the heart of this revitalized space is the return of carpenter Zhang, coaxing fresh life into old timbers with the sounds of planing and measuring. The workshop thrives with a dual purpose: it serves both as a production powerhouse and an educational hub. Students gather to learn through hands-on experience, connecting directly with the materials and techniques of woodworking.
Beyond education, the ground floor reserves space for woodworking production, welcoming villagers and visitors to partake in exhibitions and programs. Above, a tea room offers parents a waiting lounge during school activities, seamlessly merging education, hospitality, and community within the same structure.
A forward-looking model for rural revitalization
Primary Architects bypass a purely nostalgic approach, introducing a forward-looking architectural language in Carpenter’s Home. This project doesn’t just preserve tradition; it integrates it into contemporary rural living, presenting an innovative model for community engagement and revitalization that resonates through Haotang Village.
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Source: designboom.com