spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china

the dual-faced walls of the tower feature polished concrete interiors and slotted exteriors designed to host climbing plants.

thomai tsimpou December 13, 2024 4 min

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CLAB Architects’ concrete structure Evolves Through nature

CLAB Architects presents LUXURIANT RELICS, A Tower of Vertical Nature, a micro art museum situated on the lake at Yugeng Yueyun Art Park in Foshan City, China. Lead architect Xu Lang conceptualized the tower as a natural monument, merging the permanence of the built form with the transient vitality of the rainforest. Nine overlapping concrete walls shape the spiraling core of the structure, guiding visitors to an elevated pavilion. These walls embody a deliberate ‘randomness,’ achieved by concealing a continuous frame structure of dark columns and beams.

The dual-faced walls of the tower feature polished concrete interiors and slotted exteriors designed to host climbing plants over time. Artist Feng Rui complements the structure with mosaics that reinterpret natural patterns. These mosaics, constructed from countless tiny units, reflect the growth and erosion of moss—a symbol of time, decay, and healing. Together, the architectural and artistic elements transform the tower into a living relic, a juxtaposition between the artificial and the organic.

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 1 — images courtesy of Xu Lang, Feng Rui, and BIZEN Art

Tower of Vertical Nature’s concept reflects on human identity

Designed for the Art Field Nanhai 2024 festival, the 50-square-meter structure by Chinese CLAB Architects engages with the regional cultural and ecological identity. Built atop a former mulberry fish pond—integral to the Pearl River Delta’s agricultural heritage—the project harmonizes architecture with the symbiotic landscape of agriculture and aquaculture of the site. The design draws parallels to the imagery in the 2018 film Annihilation, where human and natural boundaries dissolve.

The Vertical Nature Tower extends beyond its physical form, delving into themes of individuality and collectivity. Within the dense biodiversity of the southern rainforest, no single life form stands apart. Similarly, the tower provokes reflection on human identity within societal systems. The exploration of individuality and collectivity mirrors the layered, symbiotic design of the structure, where architecture becomes a witness to both natural invasion and cultural resilience.

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 2 — CLAB Architects presents LUXURIANT RELICS, A Tower of Vertical Nature

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 3 — a micro art museum situated on the lake at Yugeng Yueyun Art Park in Foshan City, China

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 4 — Xu Lang of CLAB Architects conceptualized the tower as a natural monument

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 5 — nine overlapping concrete walls shape the spiraling core of the structure

spiraling-vertical-tower-clab-architects-overlapping-concrete-walls-china-designboom-1800-01 — guiding visitors to an elevated pavilion

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 6 — the walls conceal a continuous frame structure of dark columns and beams

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 7 — designed to host climbing plants, the dual-faced walls feature polished concrete interiors and slotted exteriors

spiraling-vertical-tower-clab-architects-overlapping-concrete-walls-china-designboom-1800-04 — artist Feng Rui complements the structure with mosaics that reinterpret natural patterns

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 8 — constructed from countless tiny units

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 9 — reflecting the growth and erosion of moss

spiraling vertical tower by CLAB architects rises from overlapping concrete walls in china - 10 — a symbol of time, decay, and healing

the architectural and artistic elements transform the tower into a living relic a juxtaposition between the artificial and the organic designed for the Art Field Nanhai 2024 festival the 50-square-meter structure engages with the regional cultural and ecological identity built atop a former mulberry fish pond the project harmonizes architecture with the symbiotic landscape of agriculture and aquaculture the design draws parallels to the imagery in the 2018 film Annihilation the Vertical Nature Tower extends beyond its physical form delving into themes of individuality and collectivity the tower provokes reflection on human identity within societal systems the exploration of individuality and collectivity mirrors the layered, symbiotic design of the structure architecture becomes a witness to both natural invasion and cultural resilience

project info:

name: LUXURIANT RELICS, A Tower of Vertical Nature
architects: CLAB Architects

location: Yugeng Yueyun Art Park, Nanhai District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China

gross built area: 50 square meters

lead architects: Xu Lang
design team: Xu Lang, Shi Jiafuyi, Qiao Qiao
artist team: Feng Rui, Li Leiqing, Zhang Zhaozhen
clients: Art Field Nanhai 2024, Pills
engineering: LuAnLu Partner Structure Consulting
art sponsors: BIZEN Art
photographers: Xu Lang, Feng Rui, BIZEN Art