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This project originated from observing urban villages. As a unique product of Chinese urbanisation, urban villages were treated as the tumour of the city throughout the beginning of the century and demolishing was their only destiny. However, people are now realizing Chinese cities are starting to look similar and are losing their original identities, history and culture through urbanisation. Urban Village, a bottom-up self-urbanisation system, could be the answer to the problem by recreating the former collective identity through new urban texture. This project is imagined in Shapowei Village, a fishermen's urban village located on the southeast coastline of China. A place with chaotic informal infrastructures and active religious activities. The project is trying to find the solution to preserve regional culture and keep the activities alive within the urbanization context.

Architecture is the materialisation of ideas, building is the stage of life. By seeking available spaces or alternative transportation methods, a new framework was set up to start a dialogue with existing buildings, rather than demolish them. This project reimagines the relationship between neighbours and buildings. An interactive theatre was formed by the structure to extend the existing building and provide a vertical stage for all the activities in the buildings to perform and be seen - encouraging more participants to help preserve and evolve the regional culture and activities. Life is a show. Everyone is the main character. The architect is the stage builder.