Ningyue Leling Center in Huashan

Urban public life resembles a splendid and colorful tapestry, portraying not only a rich cultural and entertainment scene but also depicting the simple and warm daily interactions among neighborhood residents. Neighborhoods are the smallest public units of a city, akin to capillaries that connect the city's pulse. The vitality of urban public life lies in the vibrancy of these grassroots communities. The Huashan County Neighborhood Center, centered around people and designed as a space to fulfill the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of residents, expands the dimensions of relationships between individuals. It serves as a new opportunity to rediscover urban public life. In contemporary life, the importance of community public spaces is self-evident, especially with the emergence of neighborhood centers that serve as focal points for residents to engage in public life. However, traditional designs of neighborhood centers often segregate different age groups into distinct public spaces, reducing opportunities for intergenerational interaction and limiting the diversity of activities, thus failing to meet the complete community life needs of residents. In contrast to spaces segregated by age, our community neighborhood center upgrades from a single-use format to a multi-scenario, all-time accessible space. By "folding" together entertainment, caregiving, wellness, dining, and other multifunctional scenes, we provide a rich and engaging integrated experience. This approach fosters interactions across generations and diverse groups, creating an environment where families spanning three generations can all find enjoyment in a comprehensive age-friendly setting. As part of a renovation project, the neighborhood center is transforming its existing storefronts into a cozy tea corner, aiming to maximize window openings and outdoor seating areas. Integrated with natural plants and streetscape, the design features wooden tables and chairs under a wooden lattice pergola with black steel eaves, creating a relaxed and natural ambiance. This setup aims to blend seamlessly with the surrounding street environment, fostering a casual social atmosphere that bridges the gap between community and neighborhood. It enhances interaction among people and their surroundings, fostering a sense of relaxation and connection.