Renovation of the Former Residence of Zhang Taiyan / Tsing-Tien Making
Renovation of the Former Residence of Zhang Taiyan by Tsing-Tien Making. A spatial container of Chinese classics and memories about Suzhou. “Renovation is not simply about blending into the old. Instead, it involves the fusion of the old and the new to imbue this long-standing house with a new language, from design to functionality and the experience it offers to visitors. We hope the story of Zhang Taiyan and his house does not stop in that specific period but continues, with the new memory and language, to carry forward.” By Tsing-Tien Making. The enchanting city of Suzhou encapsulates the poetic beauty of the Southern Yangtze region. A stroll along the historic Jinfan Road in the city’s old neighborhoods reveals numerous quaint and elegant old residences. Once the heart of Suzhou, this area, adorned with gray bricks and flat tiles, embodies the profound cultural heritage and charm of a place steeped in the arts of calligraphy and painting. Among these treasures stands the Zhang Garden, located at No.38 Jinfan Road, a valuable cultural landmark in this neighborhood. Constructed in 1932, this residence belonged to an eminent scholar of Chinese nationalism named Zhang Taiyan. In his late years, Zhang housed his collection, engaged in writing, received guests, and lived in this residence. In 2023, Gu Wu Xuan Bookstore took over its operation and entrusted Tsing-Tien Making to renovate this century-old mansion into a bookstore and a museum based on the scholar’s former residence. In the same year, it officially opened to the public. The site comprises three mixed-style houses built during the Republican period (1911-1949), showcasing a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles in the facades. The exterior features plain brick walls, Suzhou-style wooden lattice windows, Chinese-style pavilions, and Roman columns. The southern building, spanning nearly 600 square meters, is designated as the residence-based museum, while the two northern buildings, occupying approximately 880 square meters, constitute the main section of the bookstore.