beijing design studio PLAT ASIA completes a high-standard dining club in aranya, qinhuangdao, china, exploring the relationship between the nearby forest and the site. the project’s proximity to nature is maximized as its volume is split in three units with trees growing in between, therefore intersecting with the forest in a harmonious way while broadening the range of scenery views.

PLAT ASIA blends this dining club with the nearby forest using glass walls and timber designboom
all photos © arch-exist, the east facade

 

 

characterized by the studio as ‘a contemporary and oriental piece of work’, the dining club combines glass curtain walls on the forest-facing facade, and a light-transmitting concrete on the side facing the community, with a layer of timber gratings in front of it which hides the entrance and blends the building with the surrounding nature. its three major units are connected by a circulation block, while each of them represents another level of privacy: the public-opening zone, which features washi paper as ceiling finish, the irori zone, and the private rooms.

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
top view

 

 

the two pitched roofs are built at different heights with a double-layered eave that gives a lightweight feeling to the building, and a unique under-eave space, formed by the 2.4-meter overhanging roof. the entire floor is paved by grass tatami,which is relaxing and comfortable to touch with bare foot, while muting all sounds apart from those of falling leaves and breeze in the forest.

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
the corridor

 

 

from sounds to touches, PLAT ASIA has designed a detailed, unique experience similar to that of a spiritual space, shifting people’s focus towards nature. the building’s interior is kept minimal, with its timber partitions and concrete walls free of any decorations.

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
the public-opening zone

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
the public-opening zone

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
close to the forest

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
the north facade

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
external view

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
night view

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
all drawings © PLAT ASIA, site plan

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
east elevation

PLAT ASIA blends dining club with its nearby forest using glass walls and timber
drawing by dh jung

 

 

 

project information:

 

 

architects: PLAT ASIA

project: forest dining club

location: aranya, qinhuangdao, china

principle architect: dh jung

project architect: guowei liu

design team: baoyang bian, qiyang shen, kaiqi yang, minjia lv, jingyun lian, dongsheng xiao, xinwei liu

photography: arch-exist

client: aranya

operation team: shinkai by hatsune

architecture design: plat asia

interior design: plat asia

lighting design: beijing bamboo lighting design

decoration design: view deco

furnishings design: nice things

construction design: beijing huachengboyuan engineering technology group

total floor area: 901 sqm

construction material: steel, light-transmitting concrete, glass, zinc plate

decoration material: wood, gravel, tatami, washi paper

 

 

 

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: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom