The project is situated at the base of Shiyaling Mountain, directly adjacent to Dafen Oil Painting Village to the south. It primarily serves visitors coming to the park for sports, exercise, and hiking activities. Beyond its core function as a public restroom, the facility also acts as a rest stop for nearby athletes and hikers.
On one side, the site overlooks a lush slope filled with dense vegetation. On the opposite side, it borders roads and sports facilities bustling with pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Six mature trees are scattered across the site, providing year-round shade. Early mornings come alive with the chorus of hundreds of birds.
To preserve the site’s excellent natural ecology, a detailed survey of the tree branch morphology was conducted early in the design process. The architectural layout carefully leverages this data, positioning functional spaces primarily along the roadside and adjacent existing buildings. This approach minimizes disruption to the habitats of trees and birds.
Above the site and below the main tree branches, a canopy connects all the scattered functional “boxes.” Based on the surveyed trunk and branch structures, holes are precisely cut into the canopy where it overlaps with the trees, creating natural eaves. This design forms a tranquil public grey space on the hillside side, inviting visitors to relax, socialize, and connect with nature.
Outdoor benches and washbasins are thoughtfully placed under the eaves, integrated with the existing tree pools. Visitors can enjoy mountain views, listen to birdsong, and even the sound of rain while washing their hands or resting.
Inspired by the shifting shadows cast by the trees, these shadows are projected onto the building’s roof and walls, creating a series of skylights and openings. These openings offer glimpses of the lush canopy and the subtle interplay of sunlight and shadow.
Besides fulfilling the practical needs for lighting and ventilation within the public restroom, these openings poetically capture and preserve the site’s original dynamic light and shadow patterns. Additionally, the mirror finish on the hand washing area and the exterior of the drying tissue dispenser echo this natural, organic form on a smaller scale.
Drawing inspiration from the artistic spirit of Dafen Village, the building’s interior and exterior feature soft neutral tones and textures reminiscent of oil paintings. These subtle hues beautifully complement the surrounding mountain greenery.
Project Drawings
△ Inspiration Source
△ Volume Generation Analysis Diagram
△ Volume Generation Analysis Diagram
△ Volume Generation Analysis Diagram
△ Axonometric Diagram
△ Base Plan
△ Plan View
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Studio10
Area: 136 m²
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Zhang Chao
Lead Architect: Zhou Shi
Design Team: Mo Chunhui, Bao Jiaxiao (project assistant), Zhang Mengqi, Chen Hong, Chen Feifei (project assistant), Dong Yingxi (intern), Feng Zewei (intern)
Special Thanks: Zhu Xiongyi
Structural Consultant: Qu Tao
Construction Drawing Team: Shenzhen Youxiang Space Design Engineering Co., Ltd
The organizer of the “Longgang District Toilet Revolution International Design Workshop” event: Design Mutual View | Architectural Culture Institution
Location: Shenzhen
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