light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china

shiji commons project explores a dialogue between heritage, material memory, and contemporary rural life.

Lin Xie edited by christina vergopoulou August 12, 2026 4 min

SHIJI COMMONS transforms two stone houses into community hub

Located in Hengshiji Village, Sanzao Town, Zhuhai, China, SHIJI COMMONS by StudioTiltedCircle transforms two traditional stone houses into a contemporary community space. Situated between the village fabric and the surrounding landscape, the project explores how an existing rural structure can be renewed while preserving its material memory and cultural identity. Rather than replacing the old, the project begins with the existing stone walls. Through dismantling, reclaiming, and reusing the original stone, the material is transformed from a structural element into a new spatial interface. Combined with concrete and metal interventions, the new construction creates a dialogue between the traces of the past and contemporary expressions.

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 1 — a quiet presence in the community, beneath a subtle texture, renewal takes place | all images ©StudioTiltedCircle

StudioTiltedCircle extends the life of rural Chinese architecture

The central idea of the project is that space is not created, but revealed through intervention. By carefully opening gaps between the original volumes, the design introduces a new spatial sequence defined by solid and void. These openings become passages for natural light, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the building and reveal the texture of stone, concrete, and shadow. The relationship between material and light becomes the main spatial experience. The thickness of the stone walls provides a sense of permanence, while the newly introduced voids create openness and connection. Space emerges between the stones, where light transforms the existing structure into a place for gathering, exchange, and everyday community life.

The project by creative practice StudioTiltedCircle introduces a flexible public program that combines community activities, cultural display, and social interaction. Through a strategy of minimal intervention and gradual renewal, SHIJI COMMONS extends the life of the traditional stone house, transforming it from an aging residential structure into a shared space rooted in local memory and contemporary rural life.

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 2 — old stone and new construction intertwine; memory rewritten across the facade to create a new urban interface

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 3 — within stone-like volumes, a delicate roof leads entry into a dialogue of natural texture and light

shiji-commons-studiotiltedcircle-light-voids-reclaimed-stone-houses-community-space-china-designboom-1800-3 — concrete and metal interventions introduce contemporary construction elements

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 4 — gaps between the stone structures allow natural light to enter the building

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 5 — water, tactile textures, and poetic steps form a rich sequence that eases entry into the space

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 6 — the roof terrace bridges inside and out, guiding emotion

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 7 — overhead skylight leads into the central aisle

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 8 — the café area places stone, concrete, and metal within a shared material language

light and voids recast reclaimed stone houses as community space in china - 9 — the flexible interior uses folding polycarbonate doors to effortlessly transform space for changing needs

shiji-commons-studiotiltedcircle-light-voids-reclaimed-stone-houses-community-space-china-designboom-1800-2 — SHIJI COMMONS extends the life of traditional rural architecture

ground floor section layered concrete embedded with reclaimed original stone creates a new architectural expression narrative

project info:

name: SHIJI COMMONS: Revealing Space Through Stone and Light
architect: StudioTiltedCircle | @studiotiltedcircle

location: Hengshiji Village, Sanzao Town, Zhuhai, China

site area: 400 sqm
building area: 321 sqm

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