Main Introduction
Project name: MOOKE&CO
Project type: Architecture renovation /Interior design
Project location: Jimiaowu Village，Moganshan Town, Deqing County, Zhejiang Province
Project Status: Completed

Floor area: 400 square meters
Gross built area: 900 square meters
Design Year: 2020.01-2022.10
Completion Year: 2022.10-2023.10

MOOKE&CO is located in Jimiaowu Village, Moganshan Town, DeQing County, ZheJiang Province, the site is a four-story office building that was once used as a rural credit cooperative. Our first site survey was in January 2020, the village which surrounded by mountains was so quiet in the drizzling.The architecture of different eras makes the village environment seem a bit chaotic.

When the project started, we never imagined it would be a four-year journey. There were many frustrating moments, as if navigating through an endless tunnel. After persevering, light finally appeared ahead. Ultimately, we obtained this brick-pink building.

Beyond its primary function as a youth hostel, the owner also hopes it can become a small digital nomad community, providing an alternative rural lifestyle beyond just vacationing. Although labeled as a youth hostel, it’s not limited to young people; rather, the term “youth” refers to a lifestyle and mental state.

The owner and we both hope this project can become a cultural catalyst in the quiet village, not just a commercial space. After nearly a year of operation, it has hosted various activities，such as salons, brand events, wellness activities, and kinds of gatherings, becoming an active spot for digital nomads and artists.

For rural redevelopment projects, it’s crucial to balance intervention with restraint. How much of the old should be erased and how much of the designer’s vision should be preserved to offer users a promising future is a challenge that requires continuous comparison and compromise.

Materials and Locality

The soil in each region presents different hues depending on its composition and environmental influences. The soil in the Moganshan area is a soft, light pink. Historically, Local buildings often featured warm pink earthen walls. The brick-red color used in the exterior design is derived from this tradition.

Using local materials provides a more intimate connection to the area’s lifestyle. Over time, the color naturally evolves, embodying a form of wisdom and aesthetic that belongs to the passage of time.

To recreate this local architectural hue, we conducted numerous tests and adjustments to achieve the brick-red color in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner. We used crushed old red bricks recovered from the site as a natural, non-fading pigment.