BIM Architecture: Qinhuangdao Sea Soul House by Wutopia Lab – A Stunning Vision for Next Year's Night Sea Project

Wutopia Lab has transformed the gatehouse near the original clubhouse into a Striped Visitor Center for the Anaya developers.

I aim to continue experimenting with the building boundary design on this small structure. My approach is to create layered spaces on the facade that soften the climatic boundaries.

Initially, I stripped the original gatehouse down to a pure semi-transparent glass box. Unlike previous designs where a semi-transparent curtain was placed in front of the climatic boundary, this time I installed a solid wall before the glass box. This wall intermittently encloses the glass box, forming a semi-open courtyard. Far from being a mere accessory, the wall, glass box, and courtyard together form a complete expression of the visitor center.

However, if the spatial concept stopped at the wall, there wouldn’t be much to discuss. The wall would simply be a clear facade. Instead, it conceals my attempt to create ambiguous, multi-layered facades.

This outcome was not exactly what I envisioned, but I am captivated by the form created by the enclosing walls. I am reluctant to add another semi-transparent wall in front of the glass box, especially considering the strong seaside winds. Sun panels and perforated aluminum panels would require bulky steel structures to support and withstand lateral forces.

The repeated references to the sea by the Anaya owners sparked my association with the sea spirit shirt—a classic sailor pattern. Inspired by this, I decided to cover the entire wall and site with stripes.

Indeed, the stripes diminish the solid appearance of the wall, creating a dizzying effect that introduces uncertainty and ambiguity to the facade. Combined with the circular openings in the wall and the interior functions within the glass box, this design fulfills my experimental intentions, even though the methods were not predetermined.

This creates a new duality, as this dizzying building points directly toward the sea.

Drawings

Axonometric drawing

Master Plan

Floor Plan

Sectional View

Elevation Drawing

Project Information

Architect: Wutopia Lab

Location: Qinhuangdao, China

Lead Architect: Yu Ting

Project Architect: Mu Zhilin

Design Team: Pan Dali, Sun Wutian

Building Area: 35.0 m²

Year: 2018

Photography: CreatAR Images

Project Type: Service Building

xuebim

Follow the latest BIM developments in the architecture industry, explore innovative building technologies, and discover cutting-edge industry insights.

← Scan with WeChat