please join us for the inaugural

TULOU OPEN HOUSE 2012

>>> june 8 - 10, 2012 <<<

tianzhong village, nanjing county, fujian - - - - hosted by
>>> the tulou open house project, - SH/FJ/USA <<< >>> new territories studio - BJ/SH <<< >>> urbanus research bureau (URB) - SZ/HK <<< tulouopenhouse2012@gmail.com tulouopenhouse.tumblr.com

TULOU OPEN HOUSE 2012

>>> WHAT <<< A 3-day, 2-night open house weekend at an authentic tulou (Fujian earthen building). Participants will experience life in a tulou alongside local residents; learn about the vernacular architecture, natural landscape, and local culture; share creative work and ideas; and enjoy good company. The tulou is a context for exploration, a locus for gathering, and a potential site for future collaboration. >>> WHO <<< China-based creatives and friends who have an interest in the tulou architects, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, filmmakers, planners, urbanists, ruralists, et. al., in collaboration with the local tulou community. Overnight accomondations are limited and cannot be guaranteed, but all events are open to the public. >>> WHEN <<< Friday 6/8 Sunday 6/10. Main events (presentations, performances, talks, guided tours, and other activities) will take place on Saturday 6/9 from approximately 7am to 10pm. Guests should plan on arriving Friday evening and departing on Sunday afternoon. Those who are unable to spend the night at the tulou for the weekend may travel to the tulou for the day to participate in the activities and festivities. >>> WHERE <<< A tulou a historic round earthen building built in the traditional Hakka technique in rural Tianzhong Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, Fujian Province, China. The tulou was under construction for over 8 years until progress was halted 1961 for the Great Leap Forward; as a result, it now stands and 3.5 stories instead of the intended 4. At its peak, it housed about 30 families. There are several elderly residents still living there; guests are expected to be respectful of their space and lifestyle. The site is approx.100km or a 2.5-hour drive from Xiamen and a short drive from the UNESCO-designated tulou of Nanjing County. >>> WHY <<< The Tulou Open House Project is the inaugural open-to-the-public project initiated by Friends of Tulou, a not-for-profit family organization that has adopted this tulou as a laboratory and model for studying sustainable tulou development. The condition of our tulou is in many ways representative of hundreds of others in the area: prior to the recent renovations in 2010, the building was nearly deserted and on the verge of delapidation, as most of the inhabitants have migrated to the city or moved to the nearby modern developments in the area. At the same time, the recent UNESCO designation of the nearby tulou clusters has rapidly increased public interest in, and traffic to, the region. We aim to develop a long-term relationship with the community in helping to find the tulous new position within the urgent cultural contexts of preservation, development, and urbanization. In collaboration with co-hosts New Territories Studio and Urbanus Research Bureau (URB), the Tulou Open House Project aims to cultivate speculative energy alongside rigorous investigation. New Territories Studio, based between Beijing and Shanghai, is an experimental studio for the research, development and production of innovative cultural projects. URB, as the frontier for exploring new practical models within Urbanus Architecture+Design, is a research-driven team with projects on the tulou typology in both rural and urban contexts. >>> HOW <<< The weekend will offer a variety of events, including talks, performances, workshops, and a pecha-kucha-style opportunity for guests to share their ideas and experiences. Guests are also encouraged to explore the nearby town, waterfall/nature reserve, tea fields, rice paddies, mountain villages and the other tulou in the area, including the UNESCO-designated tulou clusters which are several minutes driving distance away. The local residents very friendly and will be happy to spend a leisurely afternoon chatting with you (in the local min nan dialect!) over cups of tie guan yin, the fragrant Fujian tea grown in their own backyards. We invite all participants to share their perspectives and help shape the weekends programming. While specific funding is not available for individual projects, guests are welcomed and encouraged to propose programming to occur at the tulou any time between 6/8 and 6/10. Please e-mail proposals to tulouopenhouse2012@gmail.com.

june 8 - 10, 2012

tianzhong village, fujian, china
, , ,, ,

>>> hosted by The Tulou Open House Project

an ongoing exploration of collaborative opportunities to sustain the fujian tulou typology, within the urgent cultural contexts of preservation, development, and urbanization

New Territories Studio

an experimental studio for the research, development and production of innovative cultural projects, based between Beijing and Shanghai

Urbanus Research Bureau/URB

a research-driven design team that serves as the frontier of Urbanus Architecutre+Design to explore new architectural practice models in the context of the 21st Century urban China

TULOU OPEN HOUSE 2012

>>> LODGING AND FACILITIES <<< The building is a 3.5-story tulou, with newly-renovated interiors, that can accommodate up to 50 people overnight. The facilities of the tulou itself include: guestrooms (twin and single rooms, some with en-suite green toilet/sink units); 2 shared restrooms per floor (mens and womens); two small common rooms for group meetings; and, of course, a large courtyard for events and gathering. Off-site adjacent to the tulou, there is an additional shared space for for dining, presentations, and meetings. THERE IS WIFI IN THE TULOU. The living conditions are similar to staying at a rural sleepaway camp: clean but rustic. The original architecture of the tulou has been disturbed as little as possible, and every effort has been made to renovate in a sustainable way. There is no heat or AC, but the temperature in the tulou stays comfortable year-round due to the site and design of the earthen building. TWe will provide fresh linens and clean mattresses. There are a number of guesthouses and hotels in the area for guests who are unable to stay at the tulou with us but would like to spend the night(s) in the Nanjing area. Because of the rural conditions, guests should come prepared with insect repellent, weatherappropriate gear, long-sleeve clothing, sturdy shoes, and emergency personal medical supplies. More details on what to bring will be provided upon registration. >>> TRANSPORTATION <<< Based on guests booking of flights, group van/bus transportation will be arranged from the Xiamen airport on Friday evening 6/8 (to the tulou) and Sunday afternoon 6/10 (to Xiamen). Guests who wish to travel on different days should arrange their own travel. There are cabs available to hire from Xiamen, or various local/ tourist busses that go to Shuyang, the nearest town. Driving takes about 2.5 hours from Xiamen; public transport takes longer. Please let us know if you have questions about arranging your travel. >>> COST <<< Guests pay for their own transportation to and from the Tulou. We will ask for a 500 RMB registration fee/donation for two nights stay 6/8 and 6/9 (to be paid @ registration to reserve your space). The fee covers the basic costs of food, utilities, local help, linens, wifi, etc. All meals are included. Additional days of lodging may be available on a limited basis for 150 RMB donation/night beginning June 4; please let us know if you are interested in arriving early and spending more time in the area. Additional costs NOT included in the registration fee: snacks, supplies, local guides for group hikes or day trips, alcohol, local transportation, emergency needs, etc. Because space is limited, please register by May 14, 2012. Participants who would like to come visit us for just the day will be asked to pay 100RMB or pay-as-you-can donation (does not include meals).
LIABILITY NOTICE: please make sure that your own travel, health and accidental insurance is arranged for your visit.

>>> COLLABORATION/DONATION <<< The Tulou Open House 2012 is an entirely not-for-profit project and 100% of fees go directly to the maintanance of the tulou and the minimal costs of the programming itself. If you are interested in donating funds or services of any kind (general event volunteering, photography, food+beverage, entertainment, publication/documentation, etc). please contact us at tulouopenhouse2012@gmail.com. >>> REGISTRATION<<< To register, please send your contact info and affiliation/area of interest to: tulouopenhouse2012@gmail.com Upon confirmation, you will be asked to bank-transfer the 500RMB fee to reserve your spot. >>> QUESTIONS/CONTACT/MEDIA <<< EMAIL: tulouopenhouse2012@gmail.com TUMBLR: tulouopenhouse.tumblr.com PHONE: samantha culp 18601144082 -or- dana wu 18621509440