Yuan Zhuang
2025, 5(3):
83-90.
Centered around the core concept of “dual perspectives,” this paper introduces two rural design practices—the Villagers' Menu in Yaoli Village and the Life Atlas in Xiayang Village—exploring design as a medium to connect people with place, and stories with reality. In Yaoli Village, Shanzhen Town, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, the Villagers' Menu originated from the renovation project of Grandma Qiu's Noodle Shop. Addressing issues such as the difficulty of choice and lack of emotional connection in traditional text-based menus, it employs a dynamic collage narrative centered on “people + life scenarios + stories.” By incorporating the profiles, life scenes, recommended dishes, and colloquial recommendations of three types of villagers—native villagers (born and raised), long-term residents (settled due to marriage or work), and new villagers (artistic rural builders and entrepreneurs)—the design breaks the flat and monotonous nature of traditional menus. It allows diners to experience the warmth of local culture while selecting dishes, thereby deepening their identification with and sense of belonging to the village culture.In Xiayang Village, Xiaofeng Town, Anji County, Zhejiang Province, the Life Atlas focuses on rural individuals, using collage to depict their connections with their living environment, personal stories, and other people. Printed on acrylic and embedded in wooden installations, these portable and “inconspicuous” structures blend into the rural landscape. Viewers, from an observational standpoint, witness the overlay effect of collage photographs and the actual environment, prompting reflection on rural life and fostering an emotional connection with the locale. Simultaneously, it stimulates thoughts on the future involvement of diverse actors in rural development.The two designs represent complementary approaches: one “internally-focused” on personal stories and emotions, the other “externally-oriented” emphasizing the multidimensional relationships between people and their environment. Together, they reshape the visibility and possibilities of rural spaces.