Jianguo Military Dependents' Village Lighting Design

The precursor to Huwei Jianguo Military Dependents' Village was an early rural settlement that evolved into barracks for the Huwei Airfield during World War II to meet wartime demands. Post-war, it transformed into an Air Force military dependents' village, bustling with soldiers and their families from the 1960s to the 1980s, imprinting itself as a collective memory for many in Huwei. With the last household vacating in 2006 in accordance with government policies, the village's history paused, offering us an opportunity to pause and contemplate the future of this place.

Expansive in size, the village underwent a revitalization starting in 2019, guided by architects who aimed to preserve its old trees and architectural façade while repairing dilapidated structures and stitching together fractured spatial textures. Through the interplay of lush tree canopies and uneven red brick walls, indoor and outdoor delineations were established, weaving a fresh narrative of spatial utilization by integrating shops, exhibition spaces, dining areas, and accommodations. This nearly abandoned space of almost three decades was reinvigorated.

Emphasizing "scenic landscaping" as the lighting design core, the lighting scheme deliberately contrasts light and shadow to create nocturnal illumination layers and guide user perception. Utilizing warm-colored temperature light sources of 2700K to 3000K, in harmony with preserved historical traces, a nostalgic ambiance permeates the space, amplifying its historical texture, transporting visitors back to the lively golden era of the village fifty years ago. The village's spatial charm lies in its diverse scales resulting from additions and renovations across different eras, further enhanced by antique-style wall lamps and custom lighting fixtures, imbuing the space with distinctive character. Additionally, the lighting design surprises visitors with occasional projections of airplane images using GOBO lights, echoing the village's history as an Air Force dependents' community.

The resurgence of Huwei Jianguo Military Dependents' Village is not merely about completed architectural renovations or illuminated nights. It signifies the rebirth of a once desolate space, drawing back local youth who had sought livelihoods in big cities. Cafés, cultural boutiques, bookstores, and boutique glamping sites are gradually emerging, heralding a forthcoming splendid chapter in its history.