Outside the hall © Xu Yingda
Leisure Facilities at Suzhou Bay Sports Park / Lim Cafe
As part of the Yangtze River Delta integration, the new towns in Suzhou are divided into regions aligned with industrial layouts. Taihu Lake New Town, the latest development area, is set to become a hub for multicultural growth and infrastructure upgrades. Located at the heart of this region, Suzhou Bay Sports Park lies within the Taihu Lake Eco Tourism Resort. The park is lush with flowers, trails, ponds, and sports courts, making it an ideal destination for tourism, relaxation, outdoor activities, and fitness.
Strategically positioned, the sports park borders Taihu Lake to the west, connects Suzhou and Shanghai via an elevated road to the north, and links to Zhejiang Province in the south. This location not only offers a comfortable gathering space for local residents but also attracts visitors from nearby cities. The project is situated adjacent to the park’s tennis and basketball courts, surrounded by greenery, serving as a leisure facility for the community.
Bird’s-eye view © Xu Yingda
Grassland exterior © Xu Yingda
From the perspective of urban development, leisure facilities in parks like this offer vast opportunities for innovation. Most public-supporting buildings within parks currently focus on foundational functional improvements, with potential for future enhancements. These upgrades reflect the city’s character, care, and developmental vision.
Bird’s-eye view © Xu Yingda
As designers, our goal was to create a distinctive structure beside Taihu Lake that could serve as a regional landmark within the park. We opted for a simple design that enhances the urban public space experience, promoting relaxation and harmony with the natural environment.
Mirror facade © Xu Yingda
The project repurposes an existing wooden shear wall structure within the park. As the core of Taihu Lake New Town, the park aims to offer a leisure and gathering spot for both locals and tourists. Whether after an intense workout or a peaceful waterfront stroll, visitors can relax, dine, and socialize here.
Bar area © Lim Cafe
The design draws inspiration from the original wooden building’s structure, with staggered blocks creating a rich and dynamic interior space.
Washbasin © Lim Cafe
White perforated panels and expansive floor-to-ceiling glass create two distinct facades—one facing Taihu Lake. The reflective surfaces allow the building to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, mirroring the people and city. One side opens up to the stadium, forming a courtyard that fosters connection with the park and athletic fields.
Exterior night view © Xu Yingda
The circular courtyard walkway and metal spherical sculpture form a simple yet elegant main entrance that reflects LIM Coffee’s brand identity. While enjoying delicious food, visitors can capture memorable photos. The extensive white perforated aluminum panels give a bright, inviting atmosphere that welcomes guests into the space.
Courtyard entrance © Xu Yingda
Whether under bright sunshine or at sunset, the mirrored glass façade transforms the building into a pearl resting on the lakeside grassland. It reflects the sky, clouds, flowers, and passing pedestrians, creating a unique interplay between the interior occupants and the outside world. At night, the illuminated building stands out as a distinctive lakeside bar.
Bird’s-eye view © Xu Yingda
The first floor features versatile open spaces, private rooms of various sizes, as well as kitchen, bathroom, and logistical support areas. The second floor offers flexible layouts for private gatherings and events. Inside the hall, an inverted white wave-shaped ceiling crafted from original wooden beams reflects the sky and clouds visible through the windows, creating a captivating “painting within a painting.”
First floor interior © Yang Nan
Wave ceiling © Lim Cafe
Elegant lighting filters through suspended films, creating an artistic ambiance. Comfortable furnishings and carpets add warmth, offering a casual yet refined atmosphere. Carefully placed green plants bring life and contrast to the pristine white interior.
Hall space © Lim Cafe
Architecture is frozen music; music is flowing architecture. Entering the sunken music area, a white sculptural piano stands elegantly beside the spiral staircase. The gentle melodies emanating from the keys fill the pure white space, inviting guests to pause and enjoy. Additionally, well-sized private rooms offer guests comfortable, intimate spaces.
Sunken space © Lim Cafe
On the second floor, simple linear lighting outlines the preserved sloping roof form. Large windows showcase the beautiful outdoor scenery, enhancing the overall spatial quality.
Second floor interior © Lim Cafe
The outdoor courtyard blends seamlessly with the natural greenery, as if brushstrokes on a canvas of nature. The circular outer display and bar counter complement the setting, creating an artistic natural scene that draws attention. At night, pearl-like lights illuminate the dark sky, inviting visitors to gather and enjoy conversations under the stars.
Flower Sea Angle © Xu Yingda
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced world, architectural design often invites us to retreat into elegant private spaces, leaving the bustle behind. But can parks serve as vibrant mediums that attract people to gather, connect, and interact within the city? Although the design, based on the existing structure, may not represent the park’s full potential, it strikes a balance between development costs and project timelines.
Night view of the courtyard © Xu Yingda
Night view by the lake © Xu Yingda
LIM Coffee aims to create a public gathering spot within the park through its elegant exterior and thoughtfully designed interior spaces. This encourages interaction, listening, and new possibilities. Nestled by the rippling waters of Taihu Lake and surrounded by lush greenery, it offers an inviting retreat for friends to enjoy flowers, strolls, lake views, and exercise — a truly delightful experience.
Courtyard © Xu Yingda
Road surface © Xu Yingda
Technical Drawings
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Exploded axis measurements
△ Model photo
△ Model photo
Project Information
Project Name: Leisure Supporting Buildings for Suzhou Bay Sports Park, Lim Coffee
Designer: Pingjie Design
Company website: __AI_ST_URL_0__
Contact email: info@parallect-design.com
Design & Year of Completion: 2020–2021
Design Team: Yang Nan, Xiao Xiangdong, Wang Enzhu
Structural/Hydroelectric Design: Shanghai Hengtai Architectural Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Soft Decoration Design: Suzhou Fanmo Private Design Consulting Co., Ltd
Project Location: Suzhou Bay Sports Park, Wujiang District, Suzhou City
Building Area: 600 m²
Photography Credits: Xu Yingda, Lim Cafe, Yang Nan
Client: Lim Cafe, Suzhou Wujiang Urban Investment Group
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