2023, the Former Residence of Zhang Taiyan was planned to turn from a government office into a dual-functioning space encompassing a bookstore and museum.

Innovation:
1. In addressing the circulation and spatial relationships within the over 90-year-old protected cultural heritage site, the design team decided to selectively open parts of it for public use. This requires planning circulation patterns that better align with the intended public functions.

2. With reference to the characteristics of Suzhou gardens, known for their shifting scenery and varying elevations, the design seeks to create a diverse experience within extremely limited space. The creation of folded spaces is intended to enhance the integration of "greenery" and "garden" elements, fostering the concept of a vertical garden - to serve citizens of different age groups and incorporate reading into daily life.

3. Considering the constraints of the existing site conditions, different materials and colors are strategically employed to enhance the overall tour experience while maintaining the cohesive aesthetic of the entire venue.

Creativity:
Connect the rooms through a viewing corridor. Divide the rooms into two. North serves as B.O.H while the south as public. This resolves both circulation and lighting issues. Creation of folded spaces: before, each room was challenging to distinguish. The only clue was the locations of the trees outside. “Vertical Courtyard” was drafted to draw the “garden” into the space “Ambiguous Landscape”:the existing garden was straightforward. The transformation introduces a layer of ambiguity. Through the creation of a new layer over the current space, the design allows people to perceive a vision in every corner while preserving the integrity of the original elevation and structure.

Functionality:
In addition to the publicly accessible areas, the bookstore requires designated back-of-house spaces. The design divides the originally deep, narrow, and disjointed layout into two distinct sections. Utilizing the first and second columns on the north side as a boundary, the space is vertically segmented into the northern and southern halves. The space to the south of this boundary serves as a public area for visitors, while the northern section is dedicated to back-of-house activities. Additionally, service counters are placed in the recesses formed by door frames and columns to maximize the functional utility. This ensures a clear separation between the visitor circulation and the back-of-house circulation.

Sustainability:
As a historical listed building, the renovation emphasizes reversibility. It allows: construction speed; quality control; cost efficiency; environmental and safety; transportation efficiency. It provides community gathering space; promotes cultural diversity. It promotes dialogue and understanding to enhance the social cohesion and tolerance within the community. This fosters a sense of ownership for the community and city.