Large steps and open-air terraces wind around the curvaceous Yunhai Forest Service Station in Shenzhen, which was designed by Chinese architecture firm Line+ Studio.
Situated on Maluan Mountain, the centre by Line+ Studio was wrapped by glass openings – "maximizing transparency" to offer expansive views of the landscape, nearby seaport and Shenzhen city.
"The unique site of the station sets the stage for a truly unique atmosphere in the design," the studio said.
"The design brief emphasized functionality and identity, with the goal of creating a popular spot for citizens that would contribute to the development of the Banshan park."
The project's structure, built from ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), is defined by multilevel platforms, with movement around the building provided by a Z-shaped path that gently ascends between three floors.
Designed to serve as a "citizen check-in point", the 1,390-metre-square centre hosts ground floor restrooms easily accessed by visitors, subsequently followed by a cafe, meeting and reception rooms, and bookshop on the upper floors.
Shifting between indoor and outdoor space, the interiors are enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass openings curved at the corners, which open up to terrazzo tiled terraces at each level.
"Line+ [Studio], using the tension between nature and urban landscapes as a focal point, transformed the architectural space into an experiential journey," the studio said.
"By engaging the senses and converting infrastructure into a unique outdoor landscape, it activated its public visibility and integrated into social activities."
The building's exterior of white concrete, glass and steel extends to the interior, which is defined by large white structural columns and white stainless steel walls.
Leading up from the second floor, a centralised staircase coated with contrasting stainless steel provides access to the top floor bookshop, accompanied by a matching stainless steel book shelving unit that centres the space.
Stainless steel is additionally used to clad the ground floor restrooms, which were organised around a full-height metal installation.
An open green space at ground level offers additional outdoor space for hosting communal or private events.
Line+ Studio – formerly known as Gad Line+ Studio – is an architecture firm based in Hangzhou, China, founded by Meng Fanhao and Zhu Peidong.
Other similarly curvaceous projects that were recently completed include an apartment block in Melbourne that references the "sinuous curves of nature" and an elevated winding walkway in a national park in Japan.
The photography is by Arch-Exist Photography and Line+ Studio.
Project credits:
Architecture, interior, landscape design: Line+ Studio
Chief architect: Meng Fanhao
Project architect: He Yaliang
Design team: Xing Shu, Liu Chao, Xu Hao, Xu Yifan, Zhu Xiaojing, Li Changhao, Jin Lingbing (Intern), Wei Xuzhen (Intern), Shen Han (Intern), Yu Qizheng (Intern) (Architecture); Zhu Jun, Jin Yuting, Yang Li, Zhang Sisi, Lv Siqi (Interior); Li Shangyang, Jin Jianbo, Rao Feier, Wang Xinyu (Landscape)
On-site architect: Xing Shu
Client: Yantian District People's Government of Shenzhen
General contractor: Shenzhen Yuetong Construction Engineering Co.
Construction drawing collaboration: China Railway Urban Planning and Construction Co.
Steel structure subcontractor: Shenzhen Special Zone Construction Steel Structure Co.
Interior construction subcontractor: Shenzhen Chengwang Construction Co.
Curtain wall construction subcontractor: Shenzhen Jian'an Construction Decoration Group Co.