Wood Pavilion #1

LIN Architecture

21. December 2021

Photo: LIU Songkai (All images courtesy of v2com)

Are there any new architectural space prototypes that can be discussed? This is the starting point of this experimental project. This space experiment is located near the river in the tourist area of Jiangxin Island in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. In this project, architects give up the consideration of functional elements and start to look for keywords that can define spatial elements in the environment.

Project: Wood Pavilion #1 Experiment on space prototype (I), 2021
Location: Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
Owner/Venue: Aoya Design, Jiangxinzhou Wutao Village
Design Firm: LIN Architects

Lead Architects: Lin Lifeng, Chen Yuwei
Drawings: Chen Yuwei, Chai Zongrui, Li Xueqing, Huo Yan, Huang Qiyue
Design participation and site construction: Chai Zongrui, Li Xueqing, Huo Yan, Huang Qiyue, Zhong Yaoyao, Ren Yiyang, Chen Xiaochi, Chen Luyao, Yang Chenxuan, Wang Xuening, Zhang Zhen, Li Xiaomin, Zhu Xuanyi, Wu Yifan, Lu Zheyuan, MAO Dangran, Wen Sirui

Teaching Research Support and Materials Support: RAC Studio
Construction Guidance: Shanghai Kangle Wood Structure Co., LTD
Technical Consultants: Shao Yinghong, Hu Hongman, Xie Gong
Site Area: 160 m²
Built Area: 50 m²

North facade (Photo: LIU Songkai)

After analyzing the site, the design focuses on three keywords: ergonomics, Proxemics, and Behaviorology. The scale of human behavior is one of the concerns of this project. Research on the behavior of different people is a very good design resource for architects. By observing and understanding the behavior of people, designers can discover all kinds of possibilities of space.

West facade (Photo: LIU Songkai)

Proxemics is a concept developed by Columbia University anthropologist Edward T Hall in his book The Hidden Dimension. In this project, architects deepen and extend the concept, applying it to the category of physical space, discussing how intimate space, private space, social space, and public space are defined and designed at different scales.

Visual window, light window, and small seat (Photo: LIU Songkai)

Speaking of behavior, from the perspective of architects Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima, human, nature, and architecture are discussed as a whole, because the study of this case does not involve the category of urban daily life pattern. Therefore, the Behaviorology of various elements in the natural environment was studied and explored. Breeze, sunshine, the sound of waves, drizzle, sweet osmanthus fragrance, affecting feelings, perceptions, touch, hearing, visual elements, are the materials of our design. Through keyword research, architects began to create new forms of space in response to the various design elements surrounding it.

Sitting on the stone floor and meditate, feeling the wind and light (Photo: LIU Songkai)

Human behavior, such as sitting, squatting, lying down, meditating, listening, peeping, wandering, overlooking, and even staring, is the form of space. The act of light, the rising of the sun, the setting of the sun, the passing of the last light, the coming of the lamp, the illumination, is a dialogue between space and time. The surrounding environment, sea breeze brushing, leaves rustling, frogs chirping, cicadas singing, is the medium of dialogue between people and space.