Architecture  ·  Buildings

Life Imitates Architecture

August 30, 2023

words by Joel Wong | images courtesy of Ligang Huang

Excellent spatial design and the deconstruction of the elements positions the Life Experience Pavilion in Chongqing at the edge of a cliff with exquisite views.

Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Yangtze River in Wanzhou, Chongqing sits the Life Experience Pavilion. Chongqing is a poetic land with half of the city, half of the mountain and trees covering thousands of miles, and includes natural scenery, cultural landscape, and specialties. 

The project is realised by Beijing-based architectural design practice aoe, whose vision and design provides a unique experience despite the challenges. With over 3,000 square metres in construction space, the project sits on the edge of a cliff with a vertical height of about 30 metres, with a landscape elevator connected to the height difference of the cliff, as well as an observation tower that rises above for the enjoyment of the exquisite river views.

One of the main considerations in the design is the visibility and accessibility of the main building, as the project is located at the top of a cliff. This also posed another challenge; the need to integrate the building with the overall environment without damaging it. With this thought in mind, the aoe team was keen to insert a nature-infused architectural piece in an urban context, redefining other contemporary lifestyles.

Like its name, the Life Pavilion highlights relationships between architecture, nature, society, and the people of Chongqing, thus enhancing the spatial experience of the building’s visitors through a design-oriented rethinking of modern lifestyles. The aoe team created a concept which targets large-scale urban architecture as a conduit for fostering community vitality through public participation and interaction, inspiring people to enhance their life experiences of the future.

Using glass polyhedron for the main structure, the team was able to create several discrete glass volumes according to the function. Stainless-steel plates form the internal workings of the crane system, combined with hanging folded aluminium plates to achieve a dazzling external design. The glass polyhedron is covered by a roof supported by stone pillars, adopting a polyline-shaped design which resembles a thousand-paper crane façade; a reference to Asian cultural symbolism representing health, longevity, and truth. 

The project also incorporates the shapes and forms of surrounding natural rock formations to simulate the shape of natural caves. The team utilised different sized holes within the gaps of the stone pillars. Through the use of a wide variety of materials, taking into account their effect on shadow and light, the team was able to enrich the overall spatial experience using elements like stainless-steel, abundant glass, and acrylic light rods to brilliantly contrast the grey space. 

The team also merged the cliffside into the design of the landscape elevator, adopting the form of the polyhedron. The elevator as a whole is more like a stone pillar standing between the mountains; creating a sense of volume across the project and forming an excellent viewing point to better appreciate the river view and urban landscape of Wanzhou.

aoe is an award-winning, Beijing-based architectural design practice established in September 2016. The name “aoe” (architecture of event) is derived from the expression attributed to American architect, Bernard Tschumi, which states that ‘there is no architecture without event’. Beyond that statement, the architectural philosophy is a core value of aoe’s practice. aoe is a dynamic design force in the fastchanging world, focusing on the goal of improving the living environment by engaging new technologies, materials, social values, history, art, and culture. When designing, aoe studies and refines the vivid relationship between architecture, space, and its users to encourage a positive impact on society with innovative design solutions. The natural logic of being, such as space, material, construction, and technology, is the keydriven force for generating space and form. aoe’s solutionoriented design approach provides professional services to maximise the success of every project.

For more information, please visit About aoe.