The collaboration between Found Projects and Schneider & Luescher brings forth the Four-Roof Pavilion, a testament to architectural integration with nature. Drawing inspiration from the “Forest School” landscape design concept, this pavilion seamlessly merges into its surroundings, resembling a greenhouse nestled within the park.
Embracing Nature: A Gateway to the Park
Situated at the north corner of Pingshan Children’s Park in Shenzhen, the Four-Roof Pavilion serves as a secondary gateway to the park. Spread across three stories and spanning 1,200 square meters, it offers a pedestrian passageway, multi-purpose rooms, a bookstore, a cafe, and a roof garden. This structure not only enhances the park’s accessibility but also enriches the visitor experience.
Inviting Entrance: A Seamless Transition
Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a passageway on the ground floor, leading them into a double-height space crowned by an oculus skylight. This “press and release” sequence serves as a gateway, seamlessly integrating the pavilion with the park. The void not only facilitates movement but also fosters social interaction, providing seating areas for visitors to engage in conversations.
Structural Elegance: Blending Form and Function
The pavilion features a simple cast-in-place concrete structural grid, accentuated by two steel roofs on the south and north facades, along with two concrete roofs in the outdoor garden area. Drawing inspiration from 11th-century Chinese landscape painting, the color palette unifies the structural elements, including columns, beams, and diagonal bracing. Sculptural red stairs, embedded within the grid, serve as prominent features, highlighting the vertical circulation within the pavilion.
Sheltered Spaces: Balancing Transparency and Shade
The expansive roofs not only define the architectural identity but also provide ample shading and covered spaces for the local community. Strategic placement of clear polycarbonate panels, perforated metal panels, and solid metal panels creates varying levels of transparency. Diamond and triangle patterns filter natural light, introducing ambient lighting into the interior while blurring the boundaries between the built environment and nature.
Seamless Integration: Bridging Architecture and Landscape
Through thoughtful design elements, the Four-Roof Pavilion blurs the distinction between architecture, landscape, and people. Its architectural impact extends beyond the building’s exterior, creating a harmonious relationship with the surrounding environment. By embracing nature and prioritizing user experience, this pavilion exemplifies the symbiotic connection between built structures and their natural surroundings, enriching the community’s interaction with the park.
