“House of Dreams (Phase II)” & Rural Development in Zhoushan Village

Project location : Zhoushan village, Zhengzhou, Henan

Donor of the project : Chan Cheung Mun Chung Charitable Fund

Project Period : Jun 2021 to May 2023

Description of the project : 

The award-winning* project “House of Dreams” serves as a community centre in Zhoushan village, Zhengzhou, Henan. As a co-creation project, its planning, design, and construction combined the contributions of over 80 Zhoushan villagers, whose ancestors once inhabited the 19 caves are now revitalized and reconstructed into the centre. As a collaborative social design focused project, it was built using recycled construction and household waste in a unique communal participatory process aligning collective memory, social innovation, skill development, circular economy and community resilience. The resulting form and aesthetic derive from collective creativity and construction skills of villagers. The approach reduced construction and household waste in the village at the same time, helping to minimize construction costs. As an example of sustainable practice, community development and circular economy initiatives, the House of Dreams has relevance for other rural communities.

*: 3rd Human City Design Award- Grand Prize, organised by the Seoul City Municipal Government, Seoul Design Foundation, and UNSECO (2022 Mar)