Two architectural firms, CO-MILIEU and Deep Origin Lab, have successfully transformed a historic Jiangnan-style courtyard in Taizhou, China, into a vibrant cultural and commercial venue. The Zhou Residence, a traditional compound with deep regional roots, has been reimagined as Tai-Silk Courtyard, a space dedicated to showcasing embroidery and traditional crafts.

Located in the heart of Jiazhi Street District, this adaptive reuse project completely reimagines the domestic layout of a typical Taizhou vernacular dwelling. The architects created a flowing public axis that now connects the city's waterfront with a contemporary gallery and cultural atrium. The intervention carefully respects the original wooden frame and masonry structure while reprogramming the space as a vibrant anchor for local fashion displays, exhibitions, and community events.

The centerpiece of the transformation is a striking new pleated glass-reinforced plastic wall that stands in the central atrium like a bolt of draped silk. This sculptural and translucent element serves as both a functional divider and an artistic statement that reflects the embroidery theme throughout the venue. The wall's design draws direct inspiration from the flowing, draped qualities of silk fabric, creating a modern interpretation of traditional textile arts.

The Zhou Residence, like many traditional Jiangnan courtyard homes, was originally designed around a central quadrangle enclosed by a three-bay main hall, flanking wing rooms, and a gatehouse. The architectural teams preserved this fundamental spatial rhythm but completely restructured the circulation patterns to create a linear sequence that guides visitors from the waterfront through the courtyard, atrium, staircase, and finally to the gallery spaces. This spatial composition deliberately mirrors the precise, layered, and expressive qualities found in the threadwork of the embroidery pieces on display.

Throughout Tai-Silk Courtyard, subtle design strategies reveal themselves upon closer inspection, demonstrating the architects' attention to detail. The southern waterfront facade remains largely untouched, with only the historic wooden gate being carefully refurbished and dual brass signs added for identification. From the street level, visitors can glimpse through the open gate to see the illuminated courtyard beyond, creating an inviting entrance experience. On the eastern facade, glass doors have been strategically installed to replace select wooden ones, significantly increasing accessibility for visitors and improving natural light penetration.

New display windows on the western elevation have been carefully positioned to frame glimpses of embroidered garments from the interior shopfront, effectively turning the building's exterior into an extension of the exhibition space. The original Tai-Silk Courtyard, once bounded by traditional wooden doors and corridor columns, is now partially enclosed in glass, transforming the once-exterior space into a seamless extension of the exhibition area. The original stone paving was thoughtfully replaced with warm beige terrazzo, which has been stitched together with salvaged stones from the original structure to maintain visual and historical continuity.

The central bay of the former residence has been dramatically carved into a double-height ceremonial hall, a design choice that remains consistent with local architectural traditions. This space is anchored by custom lighting installations that mimic floating threads or folded fabric, reinforcing the textile theme throughout the venue. The lighting design creates an atmospheric quality that enhances both the architectural features and the displayed artworks.

The second-floor gallery, accessed via a slim wooden staircase that maintains the building's traditional character, hosts a sequence of intimate rooms divided by translucent linen-textured partitions. In these spaces, visitors are fully immersed in the masterful work of renowned embroiderer Lin Xia, whose pieces are presented under precision lighting systems that cast shadows as if they were integral parts of the embroidery itself. This careful lighting design creates a museum-quality environment that honors both the craftsmanship and the cultural significance of the displayed works.

Much of Tai-Silk Courtyard's success lies in its unwavering devotion to craftsmanship, not just in what is displayed within its walls, but in how the space itself has been constructed and detailed. Drawing direct inspiration from traditional embroidery techniques such as pulling, perforating, inlaying, and wrapping, the design process became what the architects describe as architectural needlework. This approach involved customizing free-form garment racks, carefully layering translucent wall materials, and creatively improvising with site-found demolition debris from the original structure.

These thoughtful design decisions reflect the architectural team's commitment to what they call 'craft-as-construction,' a philosophy that elevates the building process itself to an art form. The project demonstrates how contemporary adaptive reuse can honor traditional craftsmanship while creating vibrant new cultural spaces that serve modern community needs. Through this transformation, the Zhou Residence continues its role as a vital part of Taizhou's cultural landscape, now serving as a bridge between the city's rich textile heritage and its contemporary creative community.