Carving the landscape

Located in a 3000 m2 plot, the Dragon Mountain Tourist Centre fosters a symbiotic relationship between building and landscape and redefines the approach towards vernacular architecture.

 

Architecture in context

The design considers the complex natural context, adapting to its topography by creating five distinct, fragmented buildings organized around a small square. Their form is clean and curved, varying in height, crafting a dialogue between solids and voids. The constructed empty spaces, frame a series of landscape perspectives of the mountain. The site is split into two separate lanes; the first one directing the visitor up towards the mountain and the second descending towards a small grove filled with trees and two small ponds.

 

Entrance gate

In China, entrances to modern touristic sites follow a standardized sequence: a public square with a sculpture at its center followed by an entrance gate constructed in traditional style and finally a ticket counter, information, and welcome center. In this project, the entrance gate is incorporated into the architectural composition, housing the ticket counter and security staff area. Its form is both architectural and sculptural, acting as a visual landmark for visitors. The gate is composed of a series of curved walls – a reminder of the fortifications that surrounded the ancient Chinese cities – which also define the public square. Following the form of the five buildings, the walls vary in height, creating an interplay within the vertical space. They create a series of thresholds, that allow the visitor to gradually discover the different entrances to each building.

 

Materials

Stone cladding is the project’s material protagonist, used to delicately integrate the design with the surrounding landscape and local architecture. Additional “earthly” materials used are raw concrete as well as screens constructed with natural bamboo that create a subtle layer between the heavy stone elements and the transparent glass façade.