Text description provided by the architects
Rural revitalization is a big issue. To solve rural problems, we cannot simply rely on a single aspect of improvement, but to create an ecology. This ecology is not blindly copying the city or returning to the original countryside, but renewing the countryside. An ecological system suitable for the continuation and development of the countryside should have a beautiful environment, appropriate industries, substantial villagers and more travelers. Emei·Gaoqiao Town is such a village, a homing dreaming experiment that makes it stand out among the tens of thousands of remote villages in China. LEDA helps Sichuan EVERBON Industrial Group, and hopes to be in the rustic atmosphere of this village. To rejuvenate the vitality and vitality of the countryside. This project is located in Futian Village, Gaoqiao Town, a small village at the foot of Emei Mountain, with the backdrop of mountains and forests and a distant view of the golden summit of Emei Mountain. In this 2, 000-acre rural environment,,the undulating farmland and dense alpine forest are like the “fingerprints” of the nature. The fish pond called” Sanwan Datang” by the local residents,is embedded in the texture of the land, and together with the local village dwellings, they form the original countryside of western Sichuan that we have long sought in the mental world,but there is obviously some vitality missing here. ▲A bird's-eye view of Futian Village, former Gaoqiao The countryside is disappearing Like tens of thousands of ordinary villages in China, Futian Village was once distanced from the wave of urbanization.,Leading to the decline of the industry, the empty nest, the cultural fracture, and the messy environment. Within this area of more than 2,000 acres, there is a farmland mixed with forests and weeds, a dilapidated and old fish pond, and a mountain stream facing village pollution. In 2019, the developer EVERBON Group, with its love and respect for this countryside, and with the policy support of rural revitalization and the development advantages of World Ecological Recreation Core Area in Emei,a dream-making experiment of homing has started, hoping to rejuvenate the vitality and vitality of the village in the rustic atmosphere of the village. The reconstruction of the rural scene is extremely special. The owner and us have reached a consensus on the construction of the rural landscape. We believe that the rural landscape is not simply a pile of native materials, nor is it an exaggerated technique to show off skills, but to restore the true nature of the countryside. The image, bringing new life, and attracting new villagers will fundamentally bring changes to Gaoqiao. The designers planned and integrated the existing resources from three major plates: fish ponds, farmland and streams,to reshape a native and natural” lake- field-stream” rural landscape pattern, connected the lost vitality space point by point. At the same time,the increased supporting service points depending on the type of industry also brought opportunities for villagers to participate in the construction and operation. 01. Lake-Bringing a sense of lake and mountains to the countryside The fish pond – Sanwan Datang has been retained, and its landscape has been improved by storing water to form a lake. Ecological treatment is adopted to improve the water quality of the lake, so that fish、aquatic plants、microbiota in the lake form an ecological self-purification system, thus carrying out ecological restoration of the water body, forming a natural lake area, while meeting the standards of the paddy field irrigation water source. LEFA combed the lakeshore. On the basis of natural grass slopes, herb flowers of different blooming periods were used to create the atmosphere of rural wildflowers. The majestic mountains and waters, combined with grass slope flower mirrors, express the power of natural growth in the countryside. 02. Paddy Field-Create a rural landscape with the villagers As young laborers enter the cities to work, most of the people who stay in the countryside are the elderly and children. They basically have no income. At the same time, due to the lack of labor, a large amount of farmland is left unused. We have integrated rural land, The farmland that was abandoned due to population loss was re-used, all farmland was integrated, colored rice was planted, and the lines of the ridge were optimized. A landscape of forested land in western Sichuan is impressively presented. Not only that, in the construction and operation of Dadi Ricegrass,inviting indigenous people to participate in farming and harvesting, allowing village residents to participate in the revival of the village together, and bringing them more labor income. ▲Before and after bird’s eye view of the rice field landscape The irregular natural texture of the paddy field extends down from the foot of the distant mountain. Walking into the fields at the proper season, raking field and planting rice seedlings, harvesting rice, and experiencing farming for yourself is the best way to respect the life of the original village. It attracts more and more” new villagers” to come here for sightseeing experience or to stay… The large fields of colored rice are managed by local residents, bringing them more labor income. Not far from the terraced fields,the “Flavor of the Field” restaurant, which was renovated from old cottages and repaired as old as the old, is filled with smoke, and farmers sell their own agricultural products under the shed. With wild pastoral on one side and green hills on the other, the natural and human ecology of the countryside is rejuvenated here. Geometry Coffee is located on the wild slope of the rice field, with grass slope flower borders, green tiles and wooden rafters, like buildings growing on the ground. As the first part of the town to start construction,The sojourn center is located between mountains and rivers, like a rustic living room, welcoming travelers and returnees from all directions. The three supporting service points and the research and development of agricultural products, all have Local residents for participation. Many people who work in city and people from nearby villages have come back and applied for jobs over here, they are happy to have such jobs. Some of them come to work as baristas, some as waiters, some as restaurant chefs, countryside is getting livelier and livelier. The quality of the residents has improved a lot and they are starting to pay more attention to protecting their homes. It’s the people themselves who are making the countryside truly vibrant again. 03. the designer cleaned the stream on the basis of the original site, and at the same time kept the existing and wild forest to the greatest extent, replanted forest trees, afforested the bare ground, Design a trail to trace the stream, bypassing the tree clusters and mountains, forming shapes and combing the banks of the stream,The stream was combined with wildflower border to present a stream full of natural wildness. ▲Before and after bird’s eye view of mountain stream After light intervention, the pebbles on the creek banks eliminated the sense of alienation and invited people to walk into the creek to get close to nature. There are more people playing in the water in the creekIn summer, it must be the most lively season for the creek, with adults taking children to play in the shallows for fish、camping and picnicking, and full of laughter in the mountains and fields. ▲The combed tracing attracts more and more urban residents to come and experience Being with the villagers is the ideal of the “Peng Village Chief” of Hengbang Shuanglin. Together, we will create a symbiosis community. This community is a symbiosis of aboriginals, new villagers, new farmers, craftsmen, and artists. Everyone Gathering together, introducing culture, art and new lifestyles, the villagers have more opportunities to explore and learn. Relying on self-produced agricultural products, they have also created Takahashi's own agricultural brand. The introduction of supporting industries such as catering, homestays, and craftsmen has given villagers and returnees the opportunity to start their own businesses, leading the villages to truly develop independently. What the villagers gain is not only wealth, but also the cultural confidence that radiates from the bottom of their hearts. The energy that grows spontaneously from the land heals people who in a complicated world. Not only does the Gaoqiao Town attract travelers, but it has also become a new workplace for local villagers to aspire to. The heartfelt smiles of these villagers breathing life back into this once empty nesting village. Patches of egrets have flown back to Futian, and long-lost fireflies have re-lit the night sky. the natural and human ecology of the countryside is rejuvenated here. This more than 2,000 acres of land is just the beginning, and it paves the way for the future of cultural tourism towns. In the future, humanities and art scenes such as Wangshan Aesthetics Museum, Futian Academy, Daluezhiye, Lefan Secret Garden, and Intangible Heritage Craftsman Village will gradually appear in this rural picture scroll, and this place will eventually become a harmonious coexistence between man and the village. Ideal state.