An entire urban block of disused warehouses were given a new life, radically transformed into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood in Zhongshan city, China. With climate change high on the global agenda, it makes sense both environmentally and economically to recycle buildings.

Called the ‘Butterfly District’, this completed project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can transform a neighbourhood for the benefit of all.  Young entrepreneurs now have an affordable home to get their startup businesses off the ground, networking in a neighbourhood of laneways filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and gallery spaces.  

John Curran Architects were appointed 12 years ago by a husband and wife developer team, Jane & Nelson Li, to bring new life to a neglected neighbourhood in the center of their home city of Zhongshan in the south of China.  

GFA : 66,000 sqm