Home on the Ruins: A Modern Twist on Suzhou Architecture

Reviving the Past with Style and Innovation

Inspired by the traditional Suzhou architectural style, Sun Chienya has breathed new life into this late Qing Dynasty house located on Pingjiang Road, a historic preserve in Suzhou. Despite its dilapidated state, the old house has been transformed into a characteristic, simple, and stylish residence.

With a building area of only 96 square meters, the old house had collapsed, leaving behind only lonely beams, mottled walls, and overgrown vegetation. However, Sun Chienya saw the potential to blend modern elements with the traditional architecture, creating a truly unique living space.

The design of the house features a hard mountain roof, giving it a novel shape and a sense of openness. The living room retains the original height of the building, allowing for a comprehensive view of the surroundings. Oversized glass windows bring in abundant natural light, creating a bright and inviting interior.

One of the standout features of the house is the preservation of the old wall in the main dining area. Engraved with the history of the old house, this wall serves as a reminder of its rich past. Additionally, the old house bricks have been repurposed to create a new wall, showcasing the designer's nostalgia for the original structure.

The patio, now located in the center of the house, optimizes lighting and ventilation throughout the space. It also integrates natural greenery, infusing the interior with vitality and creating a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors.

The transformation of this old house presented several challenges. The original entrance door had to be relocated to a narrow public walkway, and material transportation became difficult due to the narrow and curved passage. The structure of the neighboring walls also complicated the process, as removing the old wall would have affected the surrounding structure.

Despite these challenges, Sun Chienya successfully revitalized this old house, preserving its historical charm while infusing it with modern design elements. The result is a truly unique and fashionable dwelling that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

This project, which started in April 2017 and was completed in October 2017, showcases the designer's meticulous attention to detail and dedication to preserving the heritage of the old house. Through careful research and innovative design solutions, Sun Chienya has created a space that not only respects the past but also enhances the quality of life for its inhabitants.

For its outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, this design was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2019. This prestigious accolade recognizes designs that contribute to improving the quality of life and demonstrate excellence in art, science, design, and technology.