Su Dongpo’s Pleasures At Banhu Ridge
SU DONGPO’S PLEASURES AT BANHU RIDGE
Aomomo Studio, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
ARCHITECTS
Aomomo Studio, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION
Shanghai Fengyuzhu Cultural Technology Co., Ltd.
DESIGN TEAM
Zhang Hai’ao, Li Di, Xu Hang, Li Yihang, Pan Wenqi, Yang Ge, Zhu Jingwen
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION FIRM
China State Construction Engineering Shanghai Design Institute Co., Ltd.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
China State Construction Fifth Engineering Bureau South China Construction Co. Ltd.
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION TEAM
Jiang Juan, Wang Xiaoye, Lou Ye, Song Hanyu, Zhang Jinlai, Guo Yanjie, Lu Yan
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Zhang Jingwei
PHOTOGRAPHS
ZY Architectural Photography
AREA
460 m²
YEAR
2025
LOCATION
Huizhou, China
CATEGORY
Rest Area
English description provided by the architects.
THE SITE
A Poetic Dwelling Woven by Arcs - The post station is nestled at a hairpin bend of Banhu Ridge, where the site conditions are highly challenging: adjacent to a highway on one side and flanked by steep slopes and dense bamboo forests on the other.
By cleverly leveraging this unique terrain, the building unfolds along the curve of the bend, not only conforming to the alignment of the highway but also resolving the elevation difference of the steep slopes through cantilever design.
The natural barrier formed by the surrounding bamboo forests endows the post station with a serene ambiance of "being hidden in the mountains", while the golden trumpet tree piercing through the roof serves as a visual focal point, infusing vitality into the rugged landscape.
THE FUNCTION
A Cloud-Nesting Lodge Amidst Mountains and Rivers - Perched at the hairpin bend of Banhu Ridge, this post station is like a lost short lyric penned by Su Dongpo.
Curving like a crescent moon, it gently embraces the mountain path—welcoming weary cyclists on one side and nestling into the lush depths of the bamboo forest on the other.
Three sloping roofs connect seamlessly like flowing water, supporting the vibrancy of human life: the bicycle parking area resonates with the crisp clink of tools.
In the coffee area, glass cups mirror the bamboo shadows and distant mountains, while the discreet sanitation facilities stand like unobtrusive attendants, quietly preserving comfort and decency.
A golden trumpet tree in the courtyard bursts through the roof; its leaves rustle softly under the moonlight, as if the melodious notes of a vertical bamboo flute linger in the air.
The materials embody frozen homesickness: the rough texture of concrete holds the memories of Huizhou's villages, and the curves of traditional blue tiles echo the undulating rhythm of Lingnan's landscapes.
On the viewing platform, visitors sit leisurely, watching the canyon terraces loom faintly amidst the clouds and mist. It feels as if time has curved here, nodding in silent greeting to Su Dongpo from a thousand years ago.
This post station is ultimately more than just a post station—it is a comma on the mountain trail, inviting hurried passers-by to pause and gaze: a landscape scroll framed into poetry.
From a close-up view, the branches and leaves of the golden trumpet tree protrude through the opening in the concrete roof. Moonlight filters through the foliage, casting dappled light on the ground like a silent flute melody.
Bamboo shadows dance gently on the perforated concrete walls, evoking the image of a hermit wielding a writing brush, creating freehand brushwork with delicate shades and shadows.
Looking out through the doors and windows of the post station, the courtyard becomes a framed landscape, where the movement of people adds dynamic elements to the scene.
On the backyard viewing platform, bamboo sways gently in the breeze. The overhanging eaves extending outward and the walls on both sides naturally form a framing interface.
Whether standing or sitting, visitors feel as if they have become an integral part of nature. In the distance, farmers appear as tiny figures and plough oxen as mere dots against the land.
When mist rises, the scenery transforms into the blank space of Mi Fu's cloud-and-mountain paintings.
Leaning against the railing, cyclists watch mountain mists drift through their fingers, losing themselves in a trance where it is impossible to tell if they are viewing the scenery or becoming part of it.
Looking back, the curved roof of the post station echoes the hairpin bend, as if the mountain path has tied a knot here, holding a cluster of lingering clouds.
As dusk falls, the eave lights flicker to life like stars hanging over the dark green mountains, keeping a warm glow burning for those returning home at night.
Contextual Construction - The interior furniture is designed with a tectonic aesthetic, featuring a combination of grey metal tabletops and triangular steel structure supports.
Paired with the rough concrete walls, this reinforces the intriguing interplay of contrasting materials. The doors, windows, and exhaust outlets on the facade are also treated with tectonic intent.
The doors and windows integrate green paint, mirror-finish stainless steel, and glass, creating visual focal points on the concrete walls that blend harmoniously with the natural hues of the wilderness.
The exhaust outlets are embedded in the vertically textured fair-faced concrete walls, adopting an industrial style with steel grids and metal frames that form a striking contrast with the ruggedness of the concrete.
