Superimpose Architecture

Micr-O Hangzhou

Micr-O Hangzhou

Superimpose Architecture

Micr-O Hangzhou

PARTNER Superimpose
Carolyn Leung, Ben De Lange, Ruben Bergambagt

STATUS
Built

BUDGET
$10k - 50k

AREA
1000 Sqft - 3000 Sqft

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Hangzhou, China

TYPE
Cultural › Cultural Center, Educational › Other, Government + Health › Community Center, Hospitality + Sport › Information Center, Industrial › Farm, Landscape + Planning › Playground

Micr-O Hangzhou

Inside the rural Tai Yang Valley, West of Hangzhou, the Sun Commune is a local initiative raising awareness of sustainable farming and promoting healthy living and outdoor activities for the increasing urbanization of China.

Within the sun commune, Superimpose Architecture Studio designed MICR-O to be a learning platform for city dwellers.

Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

The valley, with bamboo and rice fields, is home to one hundred local farming families.

Sun Commune initiates a bottom up strategy to sustain farmers while promoting organic food production.

Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

It further extends as an education platform for children from the city.

Throughout the year, kids from Hangzhou and Shanghai will camp and learn about nature at MICR-O and allow them to be part of a rural micro-community.

The central outdoor patio creates an enclosed platform to host learning activities and events.

Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

The white canvas ‘ring’ houses camping accommodation subdivided into segments by the three entrance points.

The external corridor blends with the surrounding bamboo forest and offers an alternative circulation route while activities are happening in the central patio.

Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

The structure is elevated, keeping the ground nearly untouched.

The structural A frame, a ninety-degree angled triangle, gives the design an externally pure shape, while internally the patio opens towards the sky and surroundings.

The construction is an example of time-and-cost-effective design. The simplicity of repetitive structural ‘A’ frame creates a bold gesture in the valley.

Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

Locally reclaimed pinewood is used as the main structure and floor decking. On site workshops and physical models by the architects were used as communication tools to teach the local villagers how to realize the design.

The architects are still involved by organizing architectural workshops for villagers and visiting kids and will keep supporting the Sun Commune.


Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou


Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou
Micr-O Hangzhou

Superimpose Architecture
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Superimpose Architecture
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