A Design That Tells a Story of Simplicity and Movement: The Round Pavilion in the Herb Garden at Expo Suzhou
The Round Pavilion in the Herb Garden: A Quiet Oasis Amid the Bustle of Expo Suzhou
At the heart of the Herb Garden within Expo Suzhou Park, away from the noise and heavy traffic of the main pavilions, emerges a circular pavilion designed by Atelier Guo, forming a serene and unexpected oasis.
Contrast with the Surroundings
This pavilion distinctly differs from the large and complex installations filling the park. This intimate corner quietly embraces unfamiliar and unique plants, breathing a hidden life into the place reflected in the laughter and conversations that fill the atmosphere. Thus, the pavilion goes beyond being a mere exhibition space to become a place for connection and relaxation, soothing the harshness of past grandeur and the ambitious aspirations that dominated this site.
Design and Integration with Nature
Despite its apparent simplicity, the pavilion features a refined design that blends concealment and openness; it is subtly hidden without emphasizing presence, yet at the same time fully open to visitors.
Atelier Guo’s primary goal was to harness the gentle potential of the site by extending the existing linear pathway and resolving its end with a converging movement that creates a natural meeting point.
Playing with Paths and Shapes
The design borrows the language of the white corridor wall in terms of scale and guidance, introducing a soft curve in the path that allows visitor movement to flow smoothly and uninterrupted.
Thanks to these characteristics, the pavilion offers a unique experience marked by ambiguous directions and geometric shapes, inviting visitors to explore the place intuitively and sensorially, far from strict guidance or specific instructions.
The Extended Corridor: A Sensory Journey Toward Discovery
Within this integrated extension, the long corridor enhances the senses, where every step becomes a unique moment of spatial discovery. As visitors move through the garden, fragmented glimpses and shifting perspectives gather before them, ultimately forming a unified and immersive experience that captivates attention.
Design Philosophy: Simplicity and Depth
Atelier Guo did not merely create a pavilion or an extended wall; instead, the project was approached with a delicate touch based on simple foundational principles and a top-down logic.
The design focuses on preserving the layered feeling of the surrounding pavilions, with special attention dedicated to the corridor wall as a defining and separating element in the space.
Interaction Between Architectural Elements
The wall, along with the ceiling and floor, is distinctly differentiated, enhancing the sense of layers and details.
Notably, the ceiling is not a traditional solid surface but a structural frame composed of low beams that help soften its intersections while framing the garden with sharp, vertical angles.
Between Sculpture and Architecture
This design approach allows the pavilion to sway between being an artistic sculptural installation and a traditional architectural structural concept, creating a unique balance between aesthetics and functionality.
The Moment of Transformation: From Heaviness to Lightness
As you enter the heart of the pavilion, a moment of surprise awaits you, embodied in a tangible shift between two sensations , what once seemed thick and heavy suddenly transforms into exceptional thinness and lightness.
Innovation in Material Use
Atelier Guo experimented with ultra-thin precast white concrete panels, creating suspended walls that achieve a delicate balance between structural stability and visual delicacy.
The Play of Light and Shadow
These panels gently reflect light, while soft shadows play across their curved surfaces, giving the walls a subtle solidity that appears extremely elegant.
Harmony with the Surrounding Nature
Against the lush green backdrop of the garden, these walls act as sensitive screens that capture light and reflect the surrounding landscape, resembling a silk fabric painted with ink , adding a rich and ever-changing visual dimension to the pavilion over time.
The Round Pavilion: A Balance Between Delicacy and Innovation
The round pavilion designed by Atelier Guo stands as a prominent example of the distinguished fusion between delicacy and innovation in contemporary architecture.
A Journey of Architectural Discovery and Reflection
This design invites visitors to embark on an architectural experience that goes beyond mere observation, becoming a journey of discovery and contemplation, where visitor movement harmonizes seamlessly with the materials used and the surrounding landscape.
Design Harmony with Nature
The final result is a tranquil retreat that honors the spirit of the garden, allowing the outside world to slow down and offering visitors an opportunity for deep connection with the beauty of simplicity and thoughtful design.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The round pavilion offers a balanced architectural experience between simplicity and innovation, seamlessly integrating natural and built environments. The sensory interaction with the space enhances the connection between visitors and their surroundings, opening new horizons for understanding the relationship between design and function.
Despite the design’s excellence in combining lightweight materials and curves, the pavilion may lack some variety in interactive elements that encourage deeper visitor engagement. Additionally, the connection between the pavilion and the external environment could be further enhanced by incorporating more diverse visual or sensory components.
Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team
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