FISH MARKET
In Wenzhou, a coastal city facing the sea, the once-thriving fish market has gradually declined under the rise of new commercial systems. Although the site’s commercial function has diminished, it still demonstrates a form of adaptability: fishermen working on the river have occupied the upper levels of the building as workshops, continuing to use the original ramps for transporting fishing gear.
Building on this resilience, our aim is to preserve the site as a fragment of its time while allowing it to adapt to new uses. Thus, while retaining its original form and functions, we introduce new elements to enhance its vitality.
Specifically, we maintain the original façade materials and functions, with particular emphasis on preserving the building’s distinctive elliptical form and ramp circulation system. At the same time, we address existing challenges, such as poor accessibility and the shared use of circulation by both pedestrians and vehicles. To resolve this, we propose a new ramp dedicated to visitors, inspired by local traditional architecture, constructed with timber and topped with a tiled roof. Within the building itself, selective removal of walls and floor slabs allows the structure to better accommodate both retail spaces and fishermen’s workshops.
On the ground floor, we open up the space to meet the requirements of food stalls while strengthening the connection between the interior and exterior, making the building more welcoming. The landscape design further supports both waterborne and land-based transport, ensuring a cohesive relationship between function and environment.
