Memory Lane: The Dining Block

Reviving Nostalgia Through Design

The abandoned corner in the city was transformed into a dining block that captures the essence of a bygone era. The design carefully selects a blueprint of the cityscape from the 1950s to the 1970s, incorporating symbolic elements that resonate with the older generation. The use of environmental instruments such as murals, graffiti, and greening further enhances the overall ambiance.

The realization of the design involved meticulous attention to detail. The construction process aimed to replicate the techniques used over 40 years ago, utilizing similar materials to create an authentic sense of time. Recycled bricks and wooden structures were carefully chosen to evoke the style of the chosen historical period.

The dining block occupies a total area of approximately 4400 square meters, with the landscape environment covering around 2400 square meters. The use of recycled bricks measuring 300*80*180 for the masonry walls and traditional process imitation tiles measuring 160*180*10 adds to the authenticity of the design.

As a commercial project, the success of Memory Lane relies on attracting customers, particularly the older urban residents. The design not only imitates the city style of the past but also incorporates elements of fun and flexibility to create a vibrant city recreation destination.

The project, located in Baohe District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, began in January 2015 and was completed by the end of May. It serves as an add-on to the theme of food and beverage blocks, contributing to the continuous maintenance of the city's style.

Memory Lane is not just a commercial endeavor; it is a reflection of the city's history and the preservation of its environmental characteristics. By reviving fragments of the city that hold memories for specific populations, the design aims to create new memories and engage visitors in the city's narrative.

The design of Memory Lane faced several challenges. The abandoned site presented a significant gap between the original architectural features and the new requirements. Additionally, the lack of complete historical data made it difficult to accurately model the urban style of decades ago. Convincing the owners to accept an old design over a new one was also a hurdle that had to be overcome.

Memory Lane is a testament to the power of design in preserving and celebrating the city's heritage. By carefully selecting historical elements and incorporating local materials and processes, the design successfully maintains the continuity of the cityscape and respects the preferences of its inhabitants.

Image Credits: Junfeng Li

Awards and Accolades: Memory Lane received the Bronze A' Design Award in Landscape Planning and Garden Design in 2016. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skill, contributing to improvements in quality of life.