Medieval Rethink
Cultural Center for QUAD studio
Medieval Rethink was a response to a private commission to build a Cultural Centre for a small undisclosed village in the Guangdong Province, which dates back 900 years to the Song Dynasty. A four storey, 7000 sqm development is centred around an ancient rock formation known as the Ding Qi Stone, a symbol of the origin of the village. The project’s design concept is based on showcasing the history and culture of the ancient village whilst linking the old and the new. The Cultural Centre stands as a reinterpretation of an ancient village and a transformation into contemporary architecture.
Download Press Kit № 98029
Download Press Kit № 98029 Cultural Center for QUAD studio by QUAD studio to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
Available Now for Your Next Story
At architecture|newsroom, we understand the pressures and deadlines journalists face. That’s why we offer exclusive access to our curated press kits and high-resolution images, tailored for accredited journalists. These resources are designed to enrich your stories with depth and visual appeal, spotlighting the world's most innovative designs.
Please Note:
- Credit the work's creator and/or photographer.
- Mention architecture|newsroom as your source.
- Share your published pieces with us; we love to celebrate and promote your work on our platform and social media.
Let’s Collaborate: Your stories matter. architecture|newsroom is here to support you with quality, accessible content. Once you are accredited, reach out for the images and content you need. We will provide the specific images and content directly, along with recommendations on works to feature.
Get Accredited Easily: Quick access to our resources requires media accreditation. Apply for media accreditation to join our network and start exploring a wealth of design stories.
Medieval Rethink by QUAD studio
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
Cultural Center by QUAD studio
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studio Medieval Rethink
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studio Cultural Center
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studio Design Team Photo
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studioBrand Logo
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studio Corporate Logo
Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.
QUAD studio Interview
Journalist Exclusive: A detailed interview with QUAD studio, around 1247 words, is ready for you to use in your coverage, free of charge. Access it today. Access QUAD studio Interview Now.
Medieval Rethink Cultural Center Press Releases
For Medieval Rethink, we offer press releases in multiple languages, including: English.
Medieval Rethink Cultural Center Translations
Medieval Rethink in your language: we provide project translations across multiple languages: Medieval Rethink Cultural Center EN, Middeleeuse Herdenkende Kultuursentrum AF, Qendra Kulturore E Rimendimit Mesjetar SQ, የመካከለኛው ዘመን የግምገማ ባህላዊ ማዕከል AM, المركز الثقافي لإعادة التفكير في العصور الوسطى AR, Միջնադարյան Վերանայման Մշակութային Կենտրոնը HY, Orta Əsrlər Yenidən Düşüncə Mədəniyyət Mərkəzi AZ, Erdi Aroko Birpentsatzeko Kultur Etxea EU, Культурны Цэнтр Сярэднявечнага Пераасэнсавання BE, মধ্যযুগীয় পুনর্বিবেচনা সাংস্কৃতিক কেন্দ্রটি BN, Srednjovjekovni Kulturni Centar Za Promišljanje BS, Средновековният Преосмислящ Културен Център BG, အလယ်ခေတ်ပြန်လည်စဉ်းစားသောယဉ်ကျေးမှုစင်တာ MY, El Centre Cultural De Repens Medieval CA, Likulu Lakale Lazikhalidwe NY, 中世纪重新思考文化中心 ZH, U Centru Culturale Ripensamentu Medievale CO, Srednjovjekovno Promišljeno Kulturno Središte HR, Středověké Kulturní Centrum Pro Přehodnocení CS, Middelalderlig Nytænkning Kulturcenter DA, Middeleeuwse Heroverweging Cultureel Centrum NL, Mezepoka Kultura Centro EO, Keskaja Ümbermõtestatud Kultuurikeskus ET, Keskiaikainen Ajattele Kulttuurikeskus FI, Centre Culturel Repenser Médiéval FR, O Centro Cultural De Repenso Medieval GL, შუასაუკუნეების გადახედვისას კულტურული ცენტრი KA, Das Mittelalterliche Kulturzentrum DE, Το Μεσαιωνικό Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο Επανεξέτασης EL, મધ્યયુગીન પુનર્વિચાર સાંસ્કૃતિક કેન્દ્ર GU, Medyeval Repanse Sant Kiltirèl HT, Tsarin Tarihi Na Tunani Na Tsakiya HA, המרכז התרבותי לחשוב מחדש מימי הביניים HE, मध्ययुगीन पुनर्विचार सांस्कृतिक केंद्र HI, A Középkori Átgondolt Kulturális Központ HU, Pusat Budaya Abad Pertengahan Memikirkan Kembali ID, Ionad Cultúrtha Athmhachnamh Meánaoiseach GA, Etiti Oge Mgbe Ochie Na-Atụgharị Uche IG, Miðalda Endurhugsa Menningarmiðstöð IS, Il Centro Culturale Del Ripensamento Medievale IT, 中世の文化センター JA, Pusat Budaya Rethink Abad Tengah JV, ಮಧ್ಯಕಾಲೀನ ಪುನರ್ವಿಮರ್ಶೆ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಕೇಂದ್ರವು KN, Ортағасырлық Қайта Ойлау Мәдени Орталығы KK, មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលវប្បធម៌ពិចារណាឡើងវិញនៅយុគសម័យកណ្តាល KM, Medieval Rethink Center Center RW, Орто Кылымдагы Кайра Ой Жүгүртүү Маданий Борбору KY, 중세 재고 문화 센터 KO, Navenda Çandî Ya Rethink A Navînî KU, Rethink Medii Aevi Culturae Centrum LA, Mëttelalterlech Nei Iwwerleeung Kulturzentrum LB, ສູນວັດທະນະ ທຳ ການຄິດໄລ່ຍຸກກາງ LO, Viduramžių Permąstymo Kultūros Centras LT, Viduslaiku Pārdomātais Kultūras Centrs LV, Средновековниот Културен Центар За Размислување MK, Ny Foibe Ara-Kolontsaina Medieval MG, Pusat Budaya Pemikiran Semula Abad Pertengahan MS, മധ്യകാല പുനർവിചിന്തന സാംസ്കാരിക കേന്ദ്രം ML, Ċentru Kulturali Medjevali Naħseb Mill-Ġdid MT, Ko Te Pokapū Ahurea O Te Tau Waenga MI, मध्ययुगीन पुनर्विचार सांस्कृतिक केंद्र MR, Дундад Зууны Үеийн Түүх Соёлын Төв MN, मध्यकालीन पुनर्विचार सांस्कृतिक केन्द्र NE, Middelaldersomtenkning Kulturhus NO, ମଧ୍ୟଯୁଗୀୟ ପୁନର୍ବିଚାର ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର OR, ਮੱਧਕਾਲੀ ਪੁਨਰ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਸੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ PA, مرکز فرهنگی بازاندیشی قرون وسطایی FA, Średniowieczne Przemyślenie Centrum Kultury PL, د مینځنۍ دورې کلتوري مرکز PS, Centro Cultural Repensar Medieval PT, Centrul Cultural Regândit Medieval RO, Средневековый Переосмысленный Культурный Центр RU, قرون وسطي جي نظر ثاني ثقافتي مرڪز SD, Medieval Reethink Aganuu SM, Средњовековни Културни Центар За Промишљање SR, Tha Ionad Cultarail Ath-Smaoineachadh Meadhan-Aoiseil GD, Medieval Rethink Tsika Yepakati SN, මධ්යකාලීන පුනරීක්ෂණ සංස්කෘතික මධ්යස්ථානය SI, Kultúrne Centrum Stredovekého Prehodnotenia SK, Srednjeveško Premišljeno Kulturno Središče SL, Xarunta Dhaqanka Ee Da'da Dib Looga Fiirsado SO, Setsi Sa Setso Sa Mehleng Ea Bohareng ST, Repensar El Centro Cultural Medieval ES, Puseur Budaya Abad Pertengahan SU, Kituo Cha Kitamaduni Cha Kufikiria Tena SW, Medeltida Omprövning Kulturcentrum SV, இடைக்கால மறுபரிசீலனை கலாச்சார மையம் TA, మధ్యయుగ పునరాలోచన సాంస్కృతిక కేంద్రం TE, Маркази Фарҳангии Дубораи Асримиёнагӣ TG, ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมคิดใหม่ในยุคกลาง TH, Orta Asyr Täzeden Pikir Alyş Medeni Merkezi TK, Medieval Rethink Cultural Center TL, Ortaçağ Yeniden Düşünme Kültür Merkezi TR, Урта Гасыр Яңадан Уйлау Мәдәният Үзәге TT, ئوتتۇرا ئەسىردىكى قايتا ئويلىنىش مەدەنىيەت مەركىزى UG, Середньовічний Культурний Центр Переосмислення UK, قرون وسطی کے بارے میں نظر ثانی ثقافتی مرکز UR, O'rta Asrlardagi Qayta Madaniy Madaniyat Markazi UZ, Trung Tâm Văn Hóa Suy Nghĩ Lại Thời Trung Cổ VI, Canolfan Ddiwylliannol Ailfeddwl Canoloesol CY, Midsieusk Neitinke Kultureel Sintrum FY, Iziko Lenkcubeko Eliphakathi Kwakhona Kwinkcubeko XH, די מיטל מעדיעוואַל ריטינגק קולטור צענטער YI, Ile-Iṣẹ Aṣa Asaju Igba Atijọ YO, Isikhungo Sokuphinda Sicabange Kabusha Sangezikhathi Ezingama-Medieval ZU, 中世紀重新思考文化中心 ZY, Ang Sentro Sa Kulturang Medieval Sa Tungatunga CEB, ʻo Ke Kikowaena Moʻomeheu Rethink HAW, Medieval Rethink Kab Lis Kev Cai Qhov Chaw HMN.
Medieval Rethink Cultural Center Media Articles
Leverage our ready-to-publish articles on Medieval Rethink, offered in a range of languages: Spanish, Hindi, Korean, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Chinese (Mandarin), German, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Russian and English.
Unique Properties
The cultural centre becomes the new destination for villagers to congregate and to socially interact. Here, opportunities arise to great a truly cultural contemporary icon inspired by a historical monument that links old and new. We make a focus in the cultural centre. An object that is the primary function, a multipurpose hall that most villagers will congregate in large social events. Other functions are clustered around the object that naturally creates internal streets and courtyards that are filled with an abundance of natural landscape.
Tags
cultural centre, abstraction, guangdong, songdynasty, dingqistone
Production Technology
Firstly, designers break down the village into components of Positive and Negative space. Defining functions as objects and stitching these objects together to natural courtyards of green space. They make a focus in the cultural centre. An object that is the primary function, a multipurpose hall that most villagers will congregate in large social events. Other functions are clustered around the object that naturally creates internal streets and courtyards that are filled with an abundance of natural landscape.
Design Challenge
Cultural Differences - The cultural centre was designed for the villagers as their space for social interaction. To design the centre, designers had to meet with the villagers and discuss their personal needs for this project. Apart from understanding their culture, the main difficulties come in syphering all their needs and wants information into a design. Only when one to understand their culture can then try to rethink the whole idea of what a cultural centre means to the villager. The Abstraction – Abstracting the village into the design took a lot of patience and work so that the final design truly depicts the chosen narrative. By stripping off the facade, a picture like frame is left behind. What it does is it focuses audience's eye towards the objects within the frame. If one to superimpose an image of the medieval village in the frame, a framed skyline of the medieval village appears. Abstraction occurs when the skyline is then pixelated. Using dark and light shades of pixels, designers generate an abstraction with a notion of depth. Abstraction creates a shading device and multi layering of the facade together with the objects inside the cultural centre creates a rich composition depicting a visual depth beyond the facade. Recreating the village – Ultimately, to create a place that will enhance the lives of the villagers. Creating a narrative for the cultural centre not only help the design collective to create a very special place, it is also an attempt to capture an emotional response for any individual visiting the place. The medieval village has already manifested itself in the planning of the functional objects, the facade and also in the internal public realm.
Project Duration
The project started in August 2017 in an undisclosed Village in Fujian, China.
Operation Flow
As the ground floor is an active floor with many active functions and visitor, the cultural centre is designed to free up the ground plane as much as possible to allow for pedestrian traffic.
Research
The design team has gone through a thorough research on the context and the history of the Zhu Pu Village, the study has become a very influential part on building a narrative on the project and later being represented through the design of the spaces. Exploration of the existing village - Walking around the village, inspired by the scale and how man and nature exist in harmony. Beautifully preserved, the village of Zhu Pu dates to the Song dynasty. With its organic concentric planning, it relates itself to many medieval Chinese urban planning principles.
Inspiration
Medieval Rethink was an opportunity to recreate a medieval environment in a contemporary cultural setting. The narrative and design approach of the cultural centre has been extensively explored previously. Located in the norther province of Guangdong, this Contemporary Cultural Centre will not only showcase the history culture of the 900-year-old village, it will also function as a cultural exhibition centre and will attract thousands of visitors from all over the region.
Image Credits
Image #1, Pictury Image #2, Submarina Image #3, SAN CG Image #4, SAN CG Image #5 SAN CG
Project Overview
Medieval Rethink Cultural Center has been a Silver winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2019 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
Silver Recognition
QUAD studio was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2020, a testament to excellence of their work Medieval Rethink Cultural Center.
QUAD studio Press Releases
Numerous press releases on QUAD studio and their achievements are at your disposal, inviting press members to use them freely in their coverage. Now available: Immediate access to 4 press releases for journalists.
Medieval Rethink: Transforming a 900-Year-Old Village into a Contemporary Cultural Centre
QUAD studio unveils a 7000 sqm Cultural Centre in Guangdong, China, reinterpreting the history and culture of an ancient village
QUAD studio Newsroom
Explore QUAD studio Newsroom to uncover award-winning design projects and more.
