FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct

IARA

ARCHITECTS
IARA

CONSTRUCTOR
Huangshan Dehong Construction Engineering Co.

DESIGN TEAM
Hongrun Li, Xinran Wu, Lin Luo, Qinming Luo

PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS
Lubin Liu, Jingqiu Zhang

WOOD STRUCTURE TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Wuhan Linhamu Construction Engineering Technology Co, Wuhan Manmu Technology Co.

CLIENTS
Biyang Township People's Government, Yixian Agricultural And Water Resources Bureau

PHOTOGRAPHS
Huien Song, Xinran Wu

AREA
106 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCTION
Huangshan City, China

CATEGORY
Bridges

The project is located in Fengwu Village, Biyang Town, Yixian County, Huangshan City. As the most well-preserved area of traditional villages in southern Anhui, Yixian County boasts rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

However, Fengwu Village grapples with challenges common to many ordinary villages, including population outflow, aging demographics, and limited preservation of ancient buildings.

In 2023, we initiated the rural revitalization charity project " Fengwu JI". By leveraging design, the initiative takes an international perspective, focusing on local characteristics and employing methods like micro-renewal and the construction of rural culture.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

The goal is to foster collective efforts, enriching and revitalizing the lives of Fengwu's residents and the broader rural community. "The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct" is one of the sub-projects within this initiative.

This project is located along the old water channel in the northern part of the village. The old water channel, constructed in the 1960s for irrigation, stands abandoned today.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

The surroundings of the aqueduct are naturally wild and lush, creating a unique genius loci. During the initial design phase, we conducted surveys with villagers, and “memory’ was the most frequently mentioned word.

These memories included recollections of the collective construction of the old water channel and fond memories of playing around the channel during childhood.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

Additionally, villagers expressed the need for a space to eat and seek shade during the summer.

Therefore, we decided to transform this aqueduct into a comfortable public covered bridge for daily use.

To cherish the collective memory of the village, we preserved the original aqueduct, maintaining its original structure and the traces of time imprinted on its surface. On the body of the old aqueduct, we attached a lightweight wooden bridge body.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

The use of wood not only pays homage to the local tradition of Huizhou architecture but also enhances the intimacy between the new infrastructure and the villagers.

" The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct" utilizes prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT), a new material that offers advantages such as uniform stress distribution, high strength-to-weight ratio, and environmental friendliness.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Xinran Wu
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

The bridge structure consists of 19 small cross-sectional interlocking units, forming a ribbed system intertwined with the old aqueduct. Each structural unit is composed of two independent X-shaped columns that support their respective roofs.

The roof employs lightweight corrugated panels, resting on the wooden structure. Inside the bridge, there are seats and two rows of reclining chairs, providing villagers with different options for resting and enjoying the view.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song

In terms of construction, all components of the bridge can be lifted by hand, avoiding the need for large construction tools. All joints between wooden components are connected with bolts for easy on-site assembly.

Upon completion, the bridge serves as a respectful tribute and a reminder of a specific history in the village. It also provides a nurturing and gathering space for the village's future, injecting vitality and vigor into the public life of Fengwu Village.

FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct


FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song


FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
© Huien Song


FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Plan
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Roof plan


Section
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Elevation
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Diagram


FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Plan
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Elevation
FW JI·The Covered Bridge on Aqueduct
Axonometric drawing