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Stage of Forest

Stage of Forest
Panorama. Image © Vanke Songhua Lake Resort

STAGE OF FOREST

META-Project

ARCHITECTS
Meta-Project

PHOTOGRAPHS
Shibiao Cao, Vanke Songhua Lake Resort, Shardisland

MANUFACTURERS
三雄极光

AREA
277 m²

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Jilin, China

CATEGORY
Landscape Architecture, Theaters & Performance

Text description provided by architect.

The Stage of Forest at Songhua Lake Resort of Jilin, China, is situated on a hillside between the forest and the slope.

Stage of Forest
Panorama. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Vanke Songhua Lake Resort

The site is surrounded by luscious greenery in summer and covered by an overwhelming white snow in winter. As is a delicate site for a “Land(scape) Mark”, one whose indefinite programming demands a careful degree of deliberation.

The location and triangle shape of the “stage” was only determined after precise examination and deduction of the site condition, to minimize the impact for the existing vegetation and to maximize the view on the platform.

Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang

While sitting on the hill, it is facing the Songhua lake at a distance, who is famous for the rime in its surrounding areas.

As one descends from the mountain top, the “Stage” rises slowly above the undulating landscape, in a way like a piece of leaf floating on the water.

Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang

Positioned with the 2 side-line along the approaching eyesight of the visitors from two routes: the trail in the woods and the ski-slope.

Not only it doesn’t obstruct the view to the lake and mountains, it even enhances the experience by inducing ever-changing tension between the cantilever and the surrounding landscape. The entire “stage” is like growing out from the mongolian oak forest, and cantilevering on top of the ski-slope.

Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang

Because the orientation of the distant view (horizontal unfolding lake), and the close view (vertical extending slope) is at a different angle, the building results in a twisted gesture between the wood “stage” and the concrete “base”.

The building combined rough materiality with its sensuous form.Seen from afar, the “stage” is a dark, free-floating monolith in the landscape, with a heavy concrete “base”.

Come closer, the reflection on the charred cedar shingles (Shou-Sugi-Ban) becomes faintly perceptible - even turns silvery with the changing angle of sunlight.

Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang

After one meandering through the forest boardwalk and finally arriving in front of it, the chapped surface of the shingles and the wood texture of the cast concrete become tangible. The interior is choreographed through a carefully plotted experience.

Upon entering the concrete vestibule, in the moment your eye adjusts to the dimmed light, a vertical view along the stretching slope will catch you first, then a narrow staircase hints the only way of elevating.

When you arrive at the platform level and turn around, what suddenly opens up to you is a great panoramic view of the Songhua lake, winding in-between the hills, clear or hazed by with the ever-changing mist, an exceptional vista that is breathtakingly beautiful and magical.

Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang

A pair of ovals openings cut through the volume, one on the roof leading sunlight and snowflake into the space, the other one on the floor intriguing interaction between people above and under the “stage”.

The red cedar wall has been left untreated and is vivid in color shades, in contrast to the building’s dark Shou-Sugi-Ban exterior.

Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Lighted View. Image © Su Shengliang

META-Project believes, designing in nature is to introduce an enlightening medium between nature and people. The “Stage of Forest” is not just a look-out, it is a flexible public space that can hold events, exhibitions, meetings and workshops...

The building is intended to stimulate people to come up with more ideas of exploring their relationship with the nature, and itself also becomes part of the nature.

Stage of Forest
Lighted View. Image © Su Shengliang


Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Panorama. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Vanke Songhua Lake Resort
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Vanke Songhua Lake Resort
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Panorama. Image © Shardisland
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Interior. Image © Su Shengliang


Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Exterior. Image © Su Shengliang
Stage of Forest
Panorama. Image © Su Shengliang


Stage of Forest
Elevation
Stage of Forest
Section


Stage of Forest
Entry Level
Stage of Forest
Floor Plan
Stage of Forest
Site Plan

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