winding staircase of g-lake art gallery culminates with scenic views of chinese mountainscape

g-lake art gallery overlooks chinese lakeside + mountains

VHD Design Group perches the G-Lake Art Gallery along a serene the lake side facing the picturesque Chinese mountainscape. Breathing new life into what was previously a sales building, the architects transform the structure, redefining it through distinct perspectives into an art gallery for human connection. With a minimal expression and clear design language, G-Lake Art Gallery is defined by a harmonious composition of simple geometric shapes, white, floating walls, discreet passageways and a curving halls. A ‘cloud staircase’ sweeps through the entire structure, ascending within the courtyard and bridging across to connect the gallery with its surrounding exterior. Inviting viewers to interact with the structure and connect with nature, the winding staircase culminates at the top of the building with a rounded vantage point overlooking the town and encompassing natural scenery.

all images courtesy of the author

vhd design group’s spiralling ‘cloud staircase’

Redefining the space, VHD Design Group began by approached the function of an art museum as not only an architectural space, but primarily ‘a place for human connection’. The Chinese architect office incorporates a large, statement ‘cloud staircase’, breaking the monotony of the original structure and adding a dynamic, unifying character to the design for visitors. Winding within the courtyard and ascending to cross over the G-Lake Art Gallery and extend downwards to its exterior, the staircase forms an iconic image in the vertical direction. The dynamic, rhythmic curvature draws the visitor’s eye to the entrance and invites them to climb and explore, creating an infinite depth of visual effects and offering various perspectives and vistas of the gallery itself and the surrounding landscape. At the peak of the building, visitors can overlook the panoramic mountainscape and lakeside from the floating platform level. 

a staircase ascends within the courtyard and bridging across to connect the gallery with its surrounding exterior

defining a clear, fluid design system

From the landscape architecture to the interior design, and from the colour scheme to the geometrical forms, VHD Design Group’s concept follows the principals of minimalism. ‘We are all following a spirit called ‘Nothing’, transforming everything into geometrical and white. From outside to inside, we give it a kind of ‘Clear’, so in the age of contemporary art, it can show vocabulary and vitality without any scruples’, note the architects.

Throughout the space of G-Lake Art Gallery, the visitor’s vision is guided by the design. The curved white walls and discreet passageways connecting room to room enhance the building’s sculptural quality. Upon entering the hall, the boundaries are defined by white walls, designed with the ground ceiling, in which the edges are hidden. Strengthening its integrity, openness and fluidity, the edges of the space become blurred. The architects define the gallery with a minimal interior and simple space system. A transformation between virtual and real appears according to the multi-dimensional field, connecting people with art. With no adornments and embellishments, only the emotional feeling defined by the artefacts and structural elements is left in the light and shadow, materials and geometric structure. Throughout, oriental elements become natural rhythms between traditional-style and modern-style.

the staircase culminates with a floating vantage point overlooking natural scenery

the dynamic, rhythmic curvature draws the visitor’s eye and invites them to climb and explore

from the landscape architecture to the interior design, VHD Design Group follows the principals of minimalism

curved white walls and discreet passageways enhance the gallery’s sculptural quality

white walls, designed with the ground ceiling, hide the edges and blur boundaries

the architects approach the function of a gallery as not only an architectural space, but a place for human connection

a transformation between virtual and real connects people with art and nature

project info:

name: G-Lake Art Gallery
architect: VHD Design Group

team: He Huawu, Liao Jianfeng, Wang Zonglong, Chen Zijian, Zhang Ming, Wu Weichao, Su Yinghong

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom