Wuzhen Rural Brewery Renovation and Renewal

The Wuzhen Rural Brewery Renovation and Renewal Project is located on the west side of Beizha River in Wuzhen, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Surrounded by water on three sides and closely adjacent to old village residences, the site is a quintessential rural industrial heritage area characteristic of Jiangnan water towns. The original abandoned distillery ruins, preserved for redevelopment, cover a total area of approximately 25,400 square meters. The government aims to transform this site into a creative industry park centered on theatrical production and performances, not only to establish the town’s theater festival as a cultural tourism brand but also to support local employment and mitigate the rural depopulation issue in Wuzhen by integrating industrial services into the community.
At the project’s inception, a comprehensive heritage conservation assessment and classification of the site’s architecture were conducted. Key industrial elements such as trusses, chimneys, and original facade materials were preserved and became the foundation for meticulous "restorative techniques" that allowed for thoughtful modifications. Structural enclosures, refined detailing, and material substitutions were employed to maintain the aesthetic continuity of the original industrial buildings while adapting them into a multifunctional rural heritage complex reflective of the Jiangnan water town identity. The design also prioritizes social equity by providing employment opportunities for local villagers, fostering new industries, and revitalizing the area. By integrating high-quality cultural industry services, the project bridges the rural-urban gap and successfully reimagines the legacy of an abandoned industrial site through thoughtful preservation and innovation.