The former 871 Chip Factory was not only a landmark enterprise in Shaoxing but also the cradle of China’s integrated circuit industry. As the semiconductors industry expanded, the factory ceased operations in 2018.
This year, CR Land ushered the site into a new chapter as Shaoxing Place by MixC, the city’s first cultural, commercial, tourism, and residential complex.
The development, designed by Shanghai-based Kokaistudios, adopts a blocked commercial model that combines dining, culture, entertainment, and retail within the three original factory buildings (labeled A, B, and C) and a series of new structures.
The design concept creates a network of public spaces: a central square at the core, enclosed courtyards within a trio of newly constructed villages, and atriums in Factories A and C.
An adaptive reuse project
Factory A, originally used for silicon wafer production (which required strict air quality controls), was designed with a grid-shaped ventilation floor supported by a cluster of columns that creates a closed independent space. This core section was preserved and the new design introduces a circular corridor that transforms the floor into a captivating visual island that is now used as a versatile stage.
Curved staircases on the southern façade of Factory A were preserved and transformed into U-shaped glass towers, standing as a symbol of the building’s original industrial spirit.
Prior to the renovation, Factory C was a single-story industrial building that differed in height and roof shape from the other two factories.
The renovated structure now matches Factory A and B in volume and form, while a newly added second floor yields an atrium space. Here, the interior architecture is centered around the idea of a “house in house.” The outer shell of the factory is a large house, while the added second floor—enclosed by skylights, vertical side panels, and a horizontally folded ceiling—forms a smaller house inside.
New villages at Shaoxing Place by MixC
To bridge the gap between Factories A and C, a connective structure was inserted to provide indoor connectivity along with outdoor stepped terraces.
Three additional villages were constructed, composed of smaller factory-like structures that eschew a singular, monotonous structure for a more modern and dynamic appearance.
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