other projects reimagines traditional chinese pavilions using confucius philosophy

the west kowloon cultural district seeks to build a temporary outdoor pavilion in the north side of the park, adjacent to the nursery park, sunset lawn and food kiosk. the pavilion, imagined by new york-based design firm ‘other projects’, will be an architectural intervention that provides shade and seating for visitors of the park. learning from traditional chinese architecture that can be found in public spaces throughout hong kong, the pavilion typology emphasizes on the idea of ‘pause’, creating intimate and open spaces for people to slow down, rest and enjoy the serenity of its surrounding landscape.

concept diagram: the firm reimagines elements from traditional chinese pavilions — plinth, columns and the roof

based on confucian philosophy, the beauty of other projects‘ chinese pavilion lies within its nothingness and emptiness. the chinese pavilion is a covered structure without walls or doors and is built from three main components: the plinth, columns, and the roof. the plinth is a heavy and massive base that elevates users and acts as a stage for activity,  often incorporating built-in furniture elements such as tables and stools. the columns serve as structural support for the roof, which is the most visible portion of the pavilion and comes in many different sizes, shapes and colors that are inspired by its context and adds aesthetic value to the landscape.

axonometric view showing the pavilion within context and its relationship with the park, waterfront, kiosk and temporary furniture

the design seeks to create a structure that establishes a similar relationship to its setting by adopting and reinterpreting the same three elements as the chinese pavilion. first, the plinth raises the ground plane and is wrapped by stairs to create access from all sides. three large voids with basic geometric shapes are carved from the plinth – a square, a circle and a cross. each void is designed as an ideal floor plan with embedded furniture to cater a variety of informal public activities. the cross forms a large communal table, the circle forms an amphitheater-like space, and the square supports a net that forms a bed. these spaces are flexible and allow for casual activities such as meetings, talks, performances, workshops, chess games, lunches, naps etc.

the pavilion appears as a floating white object, acting as a blank canvas for trees to cast shadows on

the plinth is constructed from a wood frame structure and clad with rubber flooring tiles. the dark color enhances the reading of a heavy and solid base, yet the material itself provides a soft and welcoming surface for visitors. speckled color patterns in the rubber material also adds a touch of playfulness. second, the 10-meter black steel frame acts as the main structural element. while the slender grid frame serves a structural purpose, it also integrates all necessary technical elements for the spaces, inlcuding lighting (LED strips), cooling (mist machine), visual (projectors) and audio (speakers). lastly, a translucent PVC membrane wrapping around the steel frame forms the lightweight roof. the steel structure holds up the PVC and sculpts three different roof types within the pavilion.

exploded axonometric showing the layering of elements and respective material properties

ground plan

longitudinal section

worm’s eye view, showing the three different floor plans and corresponding ceiling types

the dining room is a communal table that provides a space for visitors to play, read, eat and work

the living room is an amphitheater encourages visitors to talk, listen and perform

the bedroom is a trampoline that invites visitors to rest, sleep or jump around

the site plan showing the pavilion within the larger context of the west kowloon nursery park

project info:

architect: other projects
team: nicolas lee, douglas lee
year: 2017
location: hong kong
typology: pavilion
client: west kowloon cultural district authority
size: 243 sqm

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.

edited by: lynn chaya | designboom