Three tectonic approaches to redeem fragile buildings in Chinese rural areas

Journal title TERRITORIO
Author/s Gerardo Semprebon
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2025/112-113
Language English Pages 16 P. 168-183 File size 1124 KB
DOI 10.3280/TR2025-112018
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In the face of robust economic, societal, and climatic changes, the semantic and functional connotations of rural buildings and hamlets are rapidly evolving. This transient situation raises new questions about the delicate balance between the old and the new architectures, particularly in contexts like Chinese ruralities, where sustainability is a constant negotiation among circularity, performance, and aesthetics. This study adopts a tectonic lens to explore design strategies alternative to demolition and reconstruction praxis to integrate contemporary spaces into traditional architecture. By using a qualitative and comparative approach, the paper examines and discusses three projects implemented in the Chinese countryside, selected for their similar starting conditions in terms of building materials.

Keywords: tectonics; rural revitalization; China

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Gerardo Semprebon, Three tectonic approaches to redeem fragile buildings in Chinese rural areas in "TERRITORIO" 112-113/2025, pp 168-183, DOI: 10.3280/TR2025-112018