Soft Square in Changshou Village / ZXD Architects

Preface. China's rural revitalization initiative emphasizes leveraging urban resources to support rural development. A key strategy involves developing tourism to attract capital and industries, foster cultural engagement, promote population retention, and facilitate the settlement of new residents in rural areas. Integrating cultural projects into rural settings is a new attempt in this regard. In Changshou Village, located in the Pingshan District of Shenzhen, the esteemed Chinese performing art studio, Longma Studio, has embarked on an experimental endeavor to establish a theater commune. This commune is intended to serve as a hub for regular rural art performances, encompassing the entire process from creation and rehearsal to staging dramas. To support this endeavor and accommodate the increasing number of audiences and tourists, architect Zhu Xiaodi was commissioned to steer the village's overall planning and the design of key areas.