Vector Architects 直向建筑事务所

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring

Vector Architects

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

ARCHITECTS
Vector Architects

LIGHTING DESIGN
Toryo International Lighting Design Center

FURNITURE DESIGN
Ziinlife

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Horizon & Atmosphere Landscape Co.

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
Dsl Technology Group Ltd.

PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Dong Gong

DESIGN MANAGEMENT
Zhang Han

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Zhao Liangliang, Tan Yeqian

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Zhao Liangliang, Li Jinteng

SITE ARCHITECT
Tan Yeqian, Zhang Zhiyi (Intern), Wang Weichen (Intern)

DESIGN TEAM
Li Jiahui, Sun Yingyi, Zeng Zihao, Wang Feiyu, Zhang Liwen

LDI PROJECT ARCHITECT
Xiao Zunshi

LDI ARCHITECTS
Chen Taian

CLIENT
Aranya · Chengde

STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Cheng Jun, Yang Yuwei, Peng Li

MEP DESIGN
Shi Xinkai, Xu Dingding, Zhang Jie

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR
Chengde County Hongsheng Construction & Installation Engineering Co., Ltd., Beijing Wandanhui Building Decoration Engineering Group Co., Ltd

FACADE CONSULTANT
Rfr Building Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd

LOCAL DESIGN INSTITUTE
Shanghai Urban Architectural Design Co., Ltd.

SIGNAGE DESIGN
Beijing Tushi Space Creative Design Co., Ltd., Beijing Seed Cultural Media Co., Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHS
guowei Liu, Fangfang Tian

AREA
560 M²

YEAR
2024

LOACATION
Chengde, China

CATEGORY
Hospitality Architecture

Text description provided by architect.

The spring house sits in a river valley, deep in the forests of Wuling Mountain, a branch of the scenic Yanshan Mountains in the northern part of Beijing.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

The site abuts a steep rock cliff to the west and opens out onto an expansive view of the alluvial plains to the east and the chain of mountains beyond. 

The site is densely populated with poplar trees and the ground is covered by reeds and grasses, with a stream slowly meandering from north to south through the site.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

The construction of a new residential community is underway nearby, where people will approach the building by crossing a steel arch bridge over the stream, strolling through the forest, and arrive at the entrance of the spring house.

We envision the building as an apparatus of the steaming hot spring, touching lightly upon the natural slope. To minimize the impact of the building on the original landscape, we raised the main building from the ground. Its volume is supported by 10 columns driven into the earth.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

The hot spring functional spaces are vertically layered in the tower on the west side, and the transportation and service program are set in the east core, connected by corridor-like bridge on each floor.

The programs are vertically stacked up for reducing the building footprint and as well, creating a series of unique spatial experiences at different levels. As the visitors ascend, new relationships between the surrounding trees, rock cliff, and distant mountain landscape are respectively highlighted.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

We allocated the main functions on three levels. An integrated teak box anchors the center space of the first floor to accommodate the reception, storage, locker room and showering functions before entering the bath.

The second floor is a transparent relaxation lounge enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass on all sides, located among the most-lush part of the poplar tree canopies.

When the weather is favorable, the upper windows can be opened, introducing the fresh natural air, framing splendor natural scenery throughout the seasons.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu

The third-floor bath pools, at different temperatures and water treatments are distributed under eight light wells. When the skylight passes through the 8-meter-high wells, it becomes soft and quiet, diffused by the bush-hammered concrete. 

Through strip windows above the water surface on the west facade, people can choose to immerse themselves in the water or have a glimpse of the nearby valley cliffs with the flourishing treetop enveloping the building.

Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu


Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian


Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
Model
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Fangfang Tian
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
© Guowei Liu
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring


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Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
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Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
Sketch
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
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Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
Site Plan
Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring
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Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring

Vector Architects 直向建筑事务所
T +86 10 65167798 F +86 10 65167706
Vector Architects 直向建筑事务所
Rm 208, Bldg 22, 4 North Gongrentiyuchang Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100027 北京市朝阳与工体北路4号