The Dali Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor winds northward from Xiaguan, passing through Erbin Village and concealed within dense forests, while maintaining a considerable distance from Erhai Lake. As it nears Jiapeng Village, the corridor navigates around dense residential areas to reach an open shoreline. The triangular plot of Jiapeng Village Post Station is shaped by this corridor’s twisting path. The turning radius of this bend conveys a dynamic sense of speed.
To echo this sensation, a curved surface was employed, which also serves to separate the bustling energy moving along the corridor from the quieter space behind the wall, creating a peaceful atmosphere on the other side.
The opposite side of the curved wall is designed as a tranquil space for visitors to relax. The site is divided into three sections running north to south, centered around a café. To the north lies a square facing a pond and mixed forest, while to the south is a sunken courtyard shaped like a pocket.
The café façade is transparent, allowing scenic views from both sides. An eye-shaped opening in the middle of the curved wall facilitates visual connection between the interior and exterior, enhancing the sense of openness and communication.
Viewed from the wetland park across the corridor, the entire post station gently nestles into the ground, creating a commanding and harmonious presence. It both defines the wetland park space and accentuates the rising contours of Cangshan Mountain, visible from the foothills to the distant summit.
The public restrooms and kitchen facilities are located beneath the café, connected to the sunken courtyard’s lower elevation. To minimize the feeling of descending underground, the café floor is raised nearly one meter above ground level, creating a subtle variation in height among the café, sunken courtyard, northern square, and corridor.
The café roof is designed as a downward curved surface, mirroring the shape of the curved walls on either side. This design enhances the spatial continuity under the eaves along the north-south axis and provides ample room for the roof’s supporting beams. The two curved walls frame the smooth curved ceiling, defining the primary spatial structure of the building.
Two pathways run north to south across the site, closely following the curves of the two walls. A ramp on the west side gently elevates the ground to the café, while large steps on the north side lead to the small square adjacent to the wetland.
Approaching from the northeast along the corridor, the curved wall opens invitingly, naturally guiding pedestrians into the square. Between the east end of the café and the curved wall, steps descend to the sunken courtyard, where the entrance to the public restrooms is also located.
Project Drawings
△ Overall Site Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Basement Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Zhao Yang Architecture Studio
Area: 230m²
Year: 2023
Photographer: Chen Hao
Design Team: Zhao Yang, Wang He, Luo Chen, He Shiyang, Lin Lu, Huang Feihai
Structural Design: Ma Zhigang, Meng Fanlei
Client: Dali Cang’er Investment Co., Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Design: Beijing Carlin Architectural Design Co., Ltd
Construction: Yunnan Construction Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd
Concrete Supplier: Beijing Yihuida Qingshui Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Location: Dali
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