Longyandong: A Cement Plant Links the Past and Future

Based on the first, albeit unsuccessful adaptive reuse of the Qilin Cement Plant in Longyan, the second renovation of the Longyandong Cultural & Creative Park revitalizes the decommissioned site into the city’s first factory-turned cultural district. The project re-integrates the isolated factory into its surrounding urban fabric, inviting visitors to rediscover the forgotten industrial and cultural heritage of the Longyandong mountains. Due to budgetary constraints, we were challenged to renovate all existing buildings and landscape at the scale of the building skin and material finishes, while minimizing demolition to the substructure.

Operating at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and urban design, our intervention re-imagines the street sections and in-between spaces of the site into an enfilade of mimetic landscapes, each commemorating a historic milestone of Longyan’s modernisation. We addressed a significant topographic challenge between two important levels with the creation of a vertical plaza. This public space repurposes an underutilized area from the old masterplan into a dynamic amphitheatre for events and performances. To connect with the natural landscape and honor Longyandong’s stone mining past, we partially dismantled a 7-meter retaining wall to usher a verdant slope and a cascade of stone steps that create a seating area. At the heart of the upper plaza, two twisting dragon sculptures emerge, drawing on the ancient legends associated with the Longyandong Caves to bring the origin folklore of Longyan to life for visitors and residents alike.

The silos' facade renovation introduces new fenestration and contemporary materials, including corrugated steel and fluted aluminium panels, to complement the weathered concrete, thus ensuring they will continue to stand as Longyan’s distinctive landmarks. The new buildings introduced in the previous renovation now feature a minimalist white stucco finish – a subtle backdrop that emphasizes the rich heritage of Longyandong. The street-facing facades are adorned with custom terracotta panels inspired by sedimentary rock patterns, which, alongside a nuanced application of brown corrugated steel, brings a harmonious and engaging rhythm to the extensive façade. Overall, our approach rejuvenates the public perception of the former cement plant and demonstrates a sustainable practice of urban renewal with minimal intervention.