Wuhan Zhiyin Tonggu: A Reborn Public Space Empowered by Culture

Wuhan Zhiyin Tonggu: A Reborn Public Space Empowered by Culture

On the land of Caidian District, Wuhan, the birthplace of the millennia-old Zhiyin Culture, "Zhiyin Tonggu" has emerged as a vibrant public space that blends historical memories with modern life. As a landmark project by WEME, it represents not just a spatial renovation but a harmonious integration of culture and community.

Modern Interpretation of Cultural Genes

The profound friendship embodied in Zhiyin Culture (symbolized by the legendary bond between scholars Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi) serves as the soul of the design. The iconic red-striped entrance wall, adorned with greenery, echoes the regional cultural colors while blurring the boundary between nature and humanity, offering visitors their first cultural impression of "Zhiyin Tonggu."

In the central square, cultural expressions become more vivid. The sunken plaza hosts regular market activities, allowing residents to carry forward the Zhiyin tradition of "sincere exchange" through trade and interactions. The stepped amphitheater serves as a stage for community gatherings, where the interweaving of music, songs, and laughter recreates the scene of ancient scholars bonding through music. Most captivating are the music-themed interactive installations and storytelling walls—touching the bronze string-shaped sensors triggers the flow of ancient melodies, while scanning QR codes on the walls allows visitors to listen to Zhiyin stories passed down in Caidian, bringing history to life through participation.

Age-Inclusive Spatial Narrative

The 93,960-square-meter site is divided into precise functional zones, yet connected into an organic whole via smooth pathways. A clever design feature in the cultural experience zone is the weathering steel installations, whose rusted texture over time resembles imprints. Children can climb and explore among them, while elders can pause to read the Zhiyin allusions engraved on them, achieving "one material, multiple uses, shared by all ages."

The leisure green area features native plants such as camphor trees, osmanthus, and azaleas, offering blooming rhododendrons in spring and fragrant osmanthus in autumn, with distinctive scenery in each season. Wooden walkways meander through, connecting chess tables, rest pavilions, and children's sandpits, where scenes of grandparents and grandchildren playing together and neighbors chatting unfold daily. The natural undulations of the terrain are fully utilized to create micro-topographic landscapes that double as seats, providing suitable corners for solo reading or group picnics.

Eco-Priority Sustainable Practices

Every detail of the project reflects reverence for nature. Permeable bricks laid on the square ground allow rainwater to infiltrate naturally, replenishing groundwater while reducing the risk of urban waterlogging. Seats made from recycled wood and low-carbon environmentally friendly coatings minimize the environmental impact of building materials from the source.

This ecological wisdom is further embodied in plant configuration—native species not only adapt to Wuhan's climate, reducing irrigation and maintenance costs, but also serve as habitats for birds and insects, forming small ecosystems. In summer, dense tree canopies cool the site; during the rainy season, plant communities retain rainwater, making "Zhiyin Tonggu" a "green sponge" that regulates the regional microclimate.

From a forgotten "urban corner" to a community living room receiving over a thousand visitors daily, the transformation of "Zhiyin Tonggu" testifies to the power of landscape design. Anchored in Zhiyin Culture and guided by sustainable concepts, it has rewritten the story of an "old site with new life" in Caidian. It is not just a renewal of physical space but a reshaping of community spirit, allowing residents to always feel the warmth of culture and the beauty of "finding kindred spirits everywhere" in their daily lives.