Xiazhi Island is situated in the southern region of the Zhoushan Archipelago, nestled between Taohua Island and Liuheng Island. The Zhapeng Pier, home to the ferry terminal, rests on a prominent landform at the northernmost tip of Xiazhi’s northwest coast. This triangular site lies between the outer Z-shaped seawall and the inner S-shaped coastal road, adjacent to Zhapeng Village to the south.
The Xiazhi Bus Station serves as the primary gateway to Xiazhi Island and symbolizes the connection between people and the ocean, as well as between tradition and the future. The design team envisioned the station as an open public space that liberates the coastline, making it the focal point of the entire site. The two volumes are enclosed by concrete shell structures shaped like horns, proportionally balanced and transitioning smoothly from mountain to arch forms.
These cylindrical shells face the square in front of the station, forming a figure-eight-shaped opening. They are linked by a curved light steel archway corridor. This double-shell configuration reflects the terrain’s natural variations and preserves the site’s construction history. The original passenger station building is sustainably reused, and the eastern edge of the larger shell references the vanished section of the inner folded seawall.
The design team explored and interpreted the daily activities and symbolic significance of passenger ferries that connect the ocean to the islands. Facing the sea, two soft semi-circular arches appear, while the side facing the island presents a solid triangular double-sloped roof, symbolizing the transition from the vast ocean to the island’s safe harbor.
This concept of “crossing” captures the dynamics of travel to and from the island, while prompting reflections on themes of belonging, long-distance journeys, settlement, and exploration.
The shell structure consists of concrete shells supported by variable cross-section shear walls. On the side supported by these walls, two elliptical arch openings of differing sizes provide lateral openness and abundant natural light, creating a large, unobstructed space supported by only six “column piers.”
For materials, the design team deliberately used two contrasting textures for the inner and outer surfaces of the cylindrical shells. The interior features plain concrete, showcasing the raw beauty of the structure. The exterior is clad in sky-blue glazed round bricks with a fish-scale sheen, reflecting the island’s fishing culture and grounding the new passenger station firmly within its unique setting.
Project Drawings
▲ Base schematic diagram
▲ Passenger flow line
▲ Axonometric diagram
▲ Base schematic diagram
▲ Analysis chart
▲ Axonometric diagram
▲ General layout plan
▲ First floor plan
▲ Second floor plan
▲ Roof plan
▲ Sectional view
▲ Sectional view
▲ Elevation view
▲ Elevation view
▲ Elevation view
▲ Elevation view
▲ Sectional perspective view
▲ Analysis chart
▲ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architect: Zhizheng Architecture Studio
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Yang Min
Lead Architects: Zhou Wei, Zhang Bin
Project Architect: Jin Yanlin
Design Team: Xu Yue, Lu Yu (intern), You Mengfan (intern), Xu Wenhao (intern), Song Shuai (intern)
Structural Design: Hezuo Structural Architecture Research Institute
Concrete Cylinder Shell Structure Design: China Construction First Group Co., Ltd
General Contractor: Zhoushan Jiahong Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Concrete Shell Structure Subcontractor: China Construction First Engineering Group Co., Ltd
Floodlight Design: Zhejiang Geyin Lighting Technology Co., Ltd
Construction Drawing Design: Zhejiang University of Technology Engineering Design Group Co., Ltd
Principal: Zhoushan Putuo Transportation Investment and Development Group Co., Ltd
Location: Zhoushan
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