IARA has designed the FW JI·Covered Bridge on Aqueduct, a public village space in Huangshan, China.

The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct project is located along the old irrigation aqueduct over the Fengxi River in the northern part of Fengwu Village, surrounded by local residences and natural wilderness.

The local government aimed to address common village challenges, such as population outflow, ageing demographics and insufficient preservation of traditional buildings, through this project.

Meanwhile, villagers have expressed a deep connection to the aqueduct and a need for a shaded space to cool down, dine, rest and socialise during the hot summer months. To meet these needs, the project team decided to transform the abandoned 1960s irrigation aqueduct into a functional public space.

"In 2023, we launched the IARA Village Revitalisation Fengwu Ji initiative in Huangshan, China. A sub-project, the Covered Bridge on Aqueduct, transformed an abandoned irrigation aqueduct from the 1960s into a vibrant communal space," said IARA.

This project meets the villagers' need for shaded communal areas while reflecting their nostalgic memories of the old aqueduct. Upon completion, the new bridge seamlessly integrates with the old structure, creating a nurturing gathering space, honouring the village's Huizhou architectural context and injecting vitality into daily public life.

This project has been shortlisted in the landscape and urban project category of Dezeen Awards China 2024.

Studio: IARA
Project: FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Credits: Biyang Township People's Government, Yixian Agricultural and Water Resources Bureau, Lubin Liu, Jingqiu Zhang, Hongrun Li, Xinran Wu, Lin Luo and Qinming Luo