Discover Maison S Museum: A Cultural Gem in Chenjiapu Village, Zhejiang Province

Project Name: Songyang Shizhongshanfang Museum

Year of Completion: 2024

Project Location: Songyang County, Zhejiang Province

Space Area: 160㎡

Floor Area: 230㎡

Architectural Design/Interior Design/Display: WIT Design & Research

Design Team: Zhenhua Luo, Qinruo Chen, Chou Chou, Rui Tao, Gongpu Zhao, Yang Lin, Wenyi Chen.

Lighting Design: PROL

Structure Consultant: Yuanping Cao

Structure Design: Zhongwaijianhuacheng

Building Electrical Construction Drawing: Aofu/Liang Liang

Façade Consultant: Beijing Elevation Times

Photography: TOPIA Vision; One Thousand Degrees

Maison S Museum is an innovative space nestled in Chenjiapu Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, often celebrated as “the last secret land South of the Yangtze River.” Designed by WIT Design & Research, this unique museum is integrated into the reception area of a Bed and Breakfast (B&B). Originally intended for guestrooms, the museum now serves as a public space offering tourists a glimpse into local life.

Architectural Marvel

Perched halfway up a verdant mountainside, Maison S Museum stands out with its brightly-lit presence in the evenings. Since its opening in 2024, this versatile space has breathed new life into the surrounding area. Zhenhua Luo, Founding Partner of WIT, and Qinruo Chen, an investor and key member of the design team, have meticulously planned the creation of a public space that preserves the village’s unique characteristics while featuring a modern glass roof.

Design Challenges and Solutions

A Homestay Museum Concept

With the rise in countryside tourism, Maison S Museum addresses the challenge of satisfying urban dwellers’ curiosity about rural life. This cultural-oriented B&B brand focuses on narrating the village’s cultural stories. Chou Chou, a partner at WIT, has recreated scenes of daily village life—cooking, tea drinking, rice pounding, ancestor worship, and reading—offering visitors an engaging and enriching experience.

Integration with Local Architecture

Maison S Museum, like many local houses, blends seamlessly into its environment. The museum, converted from a concrete and steel structure, retains the essence of the village’s original buildings. Key features include the use of rammed earth and wood, a glass roof replacing the traditional patio, and a dormer for natural daylight. These elements create a harmonious connection between the building and its surroundings.

Unique Design Elements

The kitchen, located in the southwest corner of the museum, includes traditional elements like a straw raincoat, essential for local villagers in the rainy, mountainous area. According to Zhenhua Luo, the museum revives the essence of past village life, blending steel and concrete with a lightweight steel structure mimicking wood. This design gives rise to a “skylight atrium” in the lobby.

Innovative Display Shelves

Rui Tao, a partner at WIT, has designed display shelves using paper, achieving elegance in texture and simplicity in color. This choice emphasizes form and function, contributing to the museum’s unique aesthetic.

Unique Public Spaces in Chenjiapu Village

A Tribute to Local Culture

The museum’s seven-meter-high ceiling draws visitors’ eyes upwards, symbolizing the passage of time and the museum’s role in preserving history. The lighting, designed by PROL, highlights objects with subtlety and precision. Wood, a fundamental material in Chinese architecture, symbolizes the soul of buildings in Songyang County.

Overcoming Design Challenges

Tao Rui and Chou Chou spent months sourcing furniture and accessories from neighboring counties. The bedroom scene, featuring a rare ancient-style couch bed, adds authenticity and charm to the space.

Space Value and Rural Revitalization

Maison S Museum exemplifies how rural revitalization can be achieved through tourism and environmental conservation. Chenjiapu Village, a model for national rural revitalization, maintains its traditional landscape and attracts international tourists by preserving its original characteristics. The museum fulfills the curiosity of visitors, offering a poetic space that reflects village life from 600 years ago.

Conclusion

Maison S Museum is a testament to innovative design and cultural preservation, offering a unique public space that revitalizes Chenjiapu Village. This project by WIT Design & Research sets a new standard for integrating modern architecture with traditional village life, making it a must-visit destination in Zhejiang Province.