Primary Architects' Carpenter's Home: A Mountain-Inspired Timber Roof in Rural China

In Haotang Village, within China's central Henan Province, Primary Architects has completed a unique structure known as the Carpenter's Home. This building, serving as both a workshop and a public space for a local carpenter, features a striking, wavy timber roof designed to emulate the contours of the surrounding mountainous landscape.

The 405-square-meter facility, positioned at the base of the mountains, is distinguished by its hyperbolic curved timber beams, spanning an impressive 26 meters. This distinctive roof design not only visually integrates the building with its natural environment but also provides structural flexibility for the interior spaces. Utilizing advanced parametric control and digital modeling, the roof's framework, composed of glued timber and steel joints, was prefabricated and assembled on-site, showcasing efficient construction methods. Inside, the ground floor accommodates the carpenter's primary workspace alongside an area dedicated to tourists, featuring exhibitions and tours that highlight the art of woodworking. A mezzanine level includes a tea room, offering visitors a prime vantage point to observe the artisan at work and view his collection of tools and materials. Strategically placed skylights in the timber roof ensure abundant natural illumination throughout the day, aligning with the sun's trajectory to brighten the studio's interiors during operational hours.

Primary Architects aimed to redefine rural construction with the Carpenter's Home, infusing it with imaginative responses to the local landscape, traditional craft, and daily life. The studio envisioned this project as more than just a functional space; it's a living embodiment of a continually evolving lifestyle that marries traditional woodworking with contemporary design. For Haotang Village, the Carpenter's Home represents a significant landmark, preserving local heritage, celebrating the spirit of craftsmanship, and offering a forward-looking vision for rural development.