Wu Zixu Culture Museum
In 2022, during my final undergraduate year, our university was commissioned by the Wuzhong District Cultural Heritage Bureau to design a conservation proposal for a section of ancient city wall from the Spring and Autumn period (circa 500 BCE). Drawing on the site's historical value and the legacy of Wu Zixu, I proposed the Wu Zixu Cultural Museum, using narrative and immersive design to preserve the ruins while revitalizing local cultural identity through engaging visitor experiences.
Key words: Narrative Design, Immersive Design, Cultural Building
Time
2022
Type
Architecture
Team
Individual
/ Background
Mudu Ancient City Site
In 2000, archaeologists discovered a large-scale ancient city site from the Spring and Autumn period near Mudu, southwest of Suzhou. Research indicated the site dates back around 2,500 years, and scholars later speculated it to be the new capital of the State of Wu, likely built under the supervision of Wu Zixu.
KEY
Canopy
Site
Wall
Field
Woods
Road
Water
Hiking Route
Bus Stop
Archaeological Site and Site Map
Task
In this project, we were tasked with designing a building at the site of the ancient city wall ruins. The designated project area measures 50 meters by 150 meters. The design must not only showcase the remnants of the city wall but also serve as an educational hub, providing insights into archaeology and cultural heritage.
Site Map 1:1000
/ Research
From Geography to Culture
The research started with a large-scale map (1:100,000), which clearly revealed the spatial connection between ancient Suzhou and the Mudu site—a link formed by the Xujiang River, a canal believed to have been built by Wu Zixu during the Spring and Autumn period. Water flows from Taihu Lake through Xukou, along Xujiang River, and enters the city moat at Xumen Gate.
Wu Zixu emerged as a central figure in this landscape. Curious about his influence, I investigated sites associated with him, many of which are located near the project site and within Suzhou’s old city. These places form a shared cultural atmosphere and create a historical link between the two areas.
This discovery led me to take Wu Zixu and his cultural legacy as the conceptual foundation for the project.
Suzhou Old Town and Mudu Ancient City SIte 1:100,000
The Story of Wu Zixu
Wu Zixu (?-484 BC)
I. The family was unjustly killed by the king of Chu. Wu Zixu escaped from there.
4. He led Wu's army defeated Chu to get revenge.
2. He passed through Shaoguan on the way to escape where his hair turned white one night.
5.The new King is dull. Zixu is forced to commit suicide.
3. He helped Wu develop prosperity and built Helv City.
The Development of Wu Zixu Culture
After Wu Zixu’s death, local people began to worship him as the God of Tides, and his story of resilience, revenge, and loyalty spread through this belief system. Temples were built in his honor across various regions.
His worship peaked during the Tang and Song dynasties, with state-sponsored rituals and literary works commemorating him. Although his influence declined with the rise of other religions, it saw a revival in the Qing dynasty through operas and theatrical performances.
In modern times, however, Wu Zixu’s cultural presence has gradually faded under the influence of contemporary culture.
The Traditional Image of Wuzixu Culture
Festivals and Customs
Sacrifice
Celebration
Temples
Dragon Boat Festival
Literature and Art
Story
Poetry
Opera
Research
Heritage and Relics
Wall
Canel
Gate
Tomb
The Modern Image of Wuzixu Culture
/ Concept Development
The Walls are the Story Makers
Suzhou aims to highlight Wu Zixu’s cultural heritage, turning it into a distinctive cultural brand and integrating it into tourism routes. But how can this connect with the city wall ruins?
In my view, city walls are not only witnesses to history but also creators of stories. As boundaries, they separate inner and outer worlds, define centers of power, and host the clash of cultures. These tensions fuel narratives, as storytelling thrives on contradiction. Thus, city walls are both the witnesses and catalysts of history’s unfolding.
Wu Zixu’s story is closely tied to the presence of city walls. The following images from illustrated storybooks capture key moments in his life—his escape from Chu to Wu, the construction of Helü’s city, his counterattack against Chu, and his tragic demise. Throughout these events, city walls stand in the background, silently witnessing it all.
The Architecture are the Story Narrator
This city wall ruin, dating back to the late Spring and Autumn period—coinciding with Wu Zixu’s era—acts as an open book, recording the stories of that time. The proposed building will serve as its narrator, using architectural language to bring Wu Zixu’s story to life.
The building will embody three key characteristics:
Theatricality: Not a traditional theater, but an architectural performance. The space will set the atmosphere and narrate the story , uncovering and communicating the city’s cultural essence.
Emotion and Narrative: As a storyteller, the building will evoke emotions and foster empathy. It will be a commemorative space, using light, sound, and interactions with the city wall to create deep emotional connections.
Archaeological Significance: With its many unresolved mysteries, the site will also function as an archaeological center, where the process of discovery uncovers new stories.
Thus, the project will serve as both the Wu Zixu Cultural Center and an Archaeological Hub, deeply rooted in the historical legacy of the city wall.
/ Site Analysis
1:100000 From the Net to Nod
Suzhou’s western region is a popular tourist destination, famous for its scenic mountains and lakes. With a rich tourism atmosphere, it is well-connected by Metro Line 5, linking various attractions. The site, situated between several mountain parks, could serve as a key hub in Suzhou’s western tourism network.
1:20000 From the Nod to Pole
The site is surrounded by mountains, with hiking trails leading to nearby scenic spots. The flat central area, dotted with fields and small irrigation streams, is framed by woodlands and mountains. This peaceful, untouched environment evokes a sense of stepping back in time. The serene atmosphere provides an ideal setting for the project, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional culture and experience 2,500 years of history as if it has remained unchanged.
/ Design Development
Compositional Process of the Strategic Vision
To create a narrative and emotionally engaging space, I employed the following strategy: I distilled Wu Zixu’s key deeds (mentioned above) into keywords, then matched each keyword with an appropriate spatial experience (such as darkness, brightness, elevation, randomness, etc.). These spatial experiences were then combined to form various possible spatial tectonics.
Aggregation Diagram of the Functionalities
At the same time, I divided the building's functional areas based on emotions, ensuring that the emotional logic of the visitor's path was maintained while also planning the circulation for locals and researchers.
Architecture Generation
A fan-shaped grid area was drawn along the curved city wall ruins as a spatial guide. The first step was to place the tectonics on the grid according to the story narrative and the Aggregation Diagram. The second step involved adjusting the tectonics' positions and connecting them to form different spaces. The final step was to design the wave-shaped roof based on the local mountains, rivers, villages, and the symbolism of Wu Zixu as the God of Tides.
Narrative Space Design
Spaces with different atmospheres guide the visitors' emotional journey, following the narrative of Wu Zixu's story.
Architectural Drawing
This section presents the final floor plan, elevation views, section drawings, structural details, and sustainability strategies.
Rendering
The building’s entrance invites people to begin their exploration of the story through a winding, labyrinthine path.
A quiet, dark, yet slightly hopeful meditation space, reflecting the most difficult period in Wu Zixu's life.
A bright courtyard, reflecting the most glorious period of Wu Zixu's life.
The ruins hall, facing the city wall remains, provides a space for visitors to rest and host events.
The exhibition hall's exit is a ramp descending over the water, symbolizing Wu Zixu's gradual journey to the end of his life, ultimately leaving behind the legend of the tides.
The square outside the exit is randomly scattered with water features and resting areas.
Physical Model
The detachable architectural model is made using cork, foam board, and transparent and frosted PVC sheets.
