rain apparatus of aptdotapt's wooden pavilion in china inverts eaves, bringing water inside

traditional east asian architecture inspires drop-top pavilion

Drawing from the raindrops that form between the tiles of traditional East Asian architecture, the Drop-Stop pavilion in Wenzhou, China, reimagines the role of eaves. Inverting the function of these external structures that shelter from wind and rain, aptdotapt studio brings water into the space. Within, transparent glass tiles are layered to contrast with the charred timber exterior, filtering sunlight through the gaps above to create a poetic interplay of light, shadow, and reflection.

On rainy days, water cascades down the tiles into mirrored stainless-steel pools on either side, allowing visitors to touch the falling raindrops, watch the ripples forming as the they meet the water, and listen to the soothing sound of their flow from one pool to another.

all images courtesy of aptdotapt

aptdotapt uses rainwater to bridge the self and the environment

Drop-Stop is located in an expanse close to the Yandang Mountain, marking the first stop on the scenic Event Route, a path designed by aptdotapt to introduce rhythm and narrative into the repetitive, mechanical journey of winding mountain ascents. ‘Amid the grandeur of the mountain ranges, we sought to create pauses, like commas and semicolons in a piece of writing, to punctuate and enrich the experience,’ notes the design studio. Yandang Mountain’s vertical waterfalls, plunging from towering heights, leave a dramatic impression and generate many water-related marvels. Inspired by this natural harmony with water, the new pavilion was conceived as the starting point of the journey. A preserved stone step and towering tree begin the meditative journey, allowing the pine’s vertical elegance to resonate with the pavilion’s upward posture.

In this 4-square-meter structure, water becomes a bridge connecting the self and the surrounding environment, with reflections of lush mountains, waterfalls, and mist in the pools juxtaposing reality and illusion. The pavilion takes on a triangular form, with a circular mirrored stainless-steel element embedded at the top. Suspended above the ground, its floor is lined with 40×100 cm rectangular grates arranged in layered patterns. Standing at the center of the pavilion and slowly looking upwards, visitors see the world mirrored in the side-pools, slowly moving to the light flickers on tiles, reaching to the top where crossed steel beams and the circular reflection of themselves intersect.

aptdotapt completes Drop-Stop

the pavilion faces the Yandang Mountain

charred timber exterior

within, transparent glass tiles are layered to filter sunlight through the gaps above

here, water becomes a bridge connecting the self and the surrounding environment

visitors can touch the falling raindrops and watch the ripples forming as the drops meet the water

contrasting textures of the glass tiles and charred wood

aptdotapt’s concept draws inspiration from the raindrops that form between the tiles of traditional East Asian architecture

gutter details along the facade

project info:

name: Drop-Stop
architect: aptdotapt

location: Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

lead architect: Leanne Letong Meng, Jinrui Zhang, Zheye Cai

design team: Chenyu Zhang

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom