corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley

the project creates a sequence of movement, framed views, and moments of pause within the coastal valley.

Xinhao Li edited by christina vergopoulou April 9, 2026 3 min

twin steel pavilions reinterpret gable-roof viewing platforms

Located in a coastal valley in Xiangshan, Ningbo, China, Twin Pavilions replaces an underused viewing deck with two steel structures overlooking the sea. The project, conceived by the collaborative team between Atelier LuxNox and Found Projects, reinterprets the original gable-roof form as two single-pitch volumes arranged perpendicular to one another. Concrete walls beneath the structures define circulation and form a semi-enclosed courtyard facing the coastline. The two pavilions share a common structural system and material palette while developing distinct identities.

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 1 — overall view toward the sea | all images courtesy of Atelier LuxNox and Found Projects

Corten steel and concrete define Twin Pavilions’ materiality

The pavilion closer to the mountain rises vertically with a compact footprint, while the pavilion facing the sea extends parallel to the shore with a lower and more elongated form. Both volumes are clad in Corten grating of varied densities and thicknesses, allowing daylight to produce shifting impressions of transparency and solidity across the facades. Seen from the foothill, the two structures, designed by Atelier LuxNox and Studio Found Projects, form an asymmetrical yet balanced composition within the landscape. Through differences in scale and proportion, they organize a sequence of movement, framed views, and moments of pause, turning the experience of looking towards the sea into a continuous spatial sequence.

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 2 — twin pavilions set on the coastal hillside

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 3 — two triangular pavilions arranged perpendicular to one another

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 4 — seating facing the sunrise over the sea

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 5 — passage beneath the single-pitch volume

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 6 — one pavilion opens toward the mountain slope

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 7 — stair leading to the upper viewing pavilion

coastal-valley-xiangshan-china-twin-pavilions-viewing-deck-atelier-luxnox-found-projects-designboom-1800-3 — perforated corten steel rooftop

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 8 — framed view toward the sea

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 9 — the other side of the triangular pavilion frames the green hillside

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 10 — corten grating and climbing vine

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 11 — light through the facade

corten-clad twin pavilions frame shifting sea views along chinese coastal valley - 12 — twin pavilions at dusk

coastal-valley-xiangshan-china-twin-pavilions-viewing-deck-atelier-luxnox-found-projects-designboom-1800-2 — Twin Pavilions by Atelier LuxNox and Found Projects

project info:

name: Twin Pavilions
architects: Atelier LuxNox | @atelier_luxnox, Found Projects | @found.projects
location: Xiangshan, Ningbo, China

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.