FLOATING FOREST

Tsinghua University (THU), School of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Beijing

Project idea

The project is a concept design of a tea house based on a site within a forest of Yuanmingyuan Garden, a ancient relic in Beijing, China. The key challenge of the project is for the architecture to blend into the environment. The natural characteristics and historic relevence of the site leads to an architecture that is modest in scale and minimal in design. Inspired by the dotted enclosure of the trees around the site, a system of walls and roof panels shape the spaces inside, creating an ever changing, playful experience through the combination of the void and materiality. This resulted in a form of a continuous plane being cut and folded in a topologycal approach, reflecting the idea of integrity and simplicity.

Project description

Modular walls of various widths and directions are placed to shape the space and function inside, which is combined indoor and outdoor seating areas. An office area and preparation area is located at the entrance section of the building. The building features three courtyards of various scales and characteristcs, reflecting the traditional Chinese idea of achieving harmony with nature and recalls certain aspects of traditional Chinese gardens, where view of the spectator varies with every footstep. Glass walls are used throuout the building to allow unobstructed views toward the surrounding environment.

Technical information

Wall panels of various widths and directions are the main support structure, shaping the spaces inside while providing structural strength in all directions. The structure is built out of prefabricated concrete panels that are prefabricated and assembled on site. This enables the building to be constructed quickly and has the potential to be disassembled and reconstructed elsewhere. This method also reduces the overall weight of the building, avoiding deep foundations while leaving a minimal footprint on the site.