In a small village in Northern China, a modern 10-storey building now stands, a striking contrast to the centuries-old vernacular homes surrounding it. This new structure, completed in 2023, serves as both a symbol of progress and a reflection of the rapid transformation reshaping rural communities. My project delves into this juxtaposition—where tradition meets modernity, and the village’s age-old connection to the land faces the pressures of urbanisation.

At the heart of my research is the question: How do villagers adapt to such radical changes while maintaining their identity? Through fieldwork, interviews, and architectural analysis, I explore the ways in which the local community negotiates its relationship with both its land and its built environment. The project goes beyond simply studying physical structures, diving into the emotions, memories, and daily lives of the residents who inhabit these spaces.

In this rapidly shifting landscape, new tensions arise—between personal agency and top-down development, between community cohesion and individual aspirations. Can modern architecture truly coexist with the values deeply rooted in the land? And more importantly, can the spirit of the village be preserved even as its form evolves?

This project invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of
architectural development in rural areas. It is not just about buildings but about the delicate balance between progress and preservation.

Through this lens, I aim to reveal how architecture can serve as a bridge between the past and the future, embodying the hopes and struggles of the people who call these changing spaces home.