Located at the junction of Chengzhong Middle Road and Xiachemen Road, deep in the historic center of Yiwu, the ancient Bajiao Well dates back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Modest yet dignified, this aged structure has quietly observed centuries of evolution, holding a cherished place in the collective memory of generations. For those residing near Xiachemen, the well has long stood as a symbol of continuity and the entrepreneurial character that defines Yiwu.
Project Name: Bajiao Well Plaza
Studio Name: July&Partners
Location: Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
Completion: July 2024
Site Area: 286 sqm
Photography: Zhu Hai, Lou Siyuan
Rooted in the presence of this time-honored landmark, China Resources Land revitalized the surrounding site into a lively, pedestrian-friendly commercial hub—one that is environmentally sustainable, socially connected, and firmly grounded in its historical setting. July&Partners played a key role in realizing this transformation. The design vision extended beyond retail, aiming to reestablish a meaningful public space that honors Yiwu’s trading heritage while offering a cultural and leisurely environment for today’s urban life. From bartering feathers for sugar to embracing international perspectives, the project reflects a seamless blend of heritage and progress.
Situated prominently at the front of the plaza, the Bajiao Well serves as both a spatial and symbolic threshold—where modern city rhythms encounter their historical roots. Framed by surrounding structures, the space transitions from an expansive square into a slender linear corridor that guides visitors toward the active retail zone. This journey concludes at a north-facing, centripetal plaza, where the Bajiao Well is placed at the terminus of a T-shaped axis—a moment of stillness within the pace of urban activity.
While the well no longer fulfills its original utilitarian purpose, its symbolic and emotional significance persists. The design approach retained key historical features, reimagined through thoughtful use of materiality, texture, and scale to evoke a profound sense of depth and origin. A brick-patterned metal fence nods to the area’s architectural vernacular, weaving together past context and contemporary community.
Viewed from above, the plaza resembles fractured stone—its paving radiates outward from the well in subtle ruptures, evoking the shifting plates of the Earth. Stone elements are assembled in varied dimensions, generating a rhythmic and narrative sequence of surfaces. Their elevation and proportions are precisely calibrated, encouraging both visual reflection and physical interaction.
A shallow reflective pool introduces dynamic interplay of light and motion. Clean, modern arcs form its outer edges, while inner lines are more fluid and organic—symbolizing the interplay of memory with the present, of decay with rebirth.
As people move through the site, they encounter a space that feels both rooted and renewed—where local identity is distilled into form, material, and ambiance. With Bajiao Well anchoring the experience in time, elemental forces—stone, water, wind, light, and shadow—coalesce into a serene, contemplative environment. It is a place where the spiritual and the everyday intersect, offering a quiet return to life’s essential rhythms.
