Baimajian Lounge is located in Suzhou Baimajian Longchi Scenic Area. The scenic area covers an area of 7 square kilometers, and is the ecological "green lung" of Suzhou High-tech Zone. The project is bordered by Dragon Pond in the south and Fengtan in the north, and we hope to create a view building to bring the natural scenery into the leisure experience.

This design is a building renovation, and one of the major difficulties is the contradiction between the original structure and the new functional space requirements. The original building was a temporary building with a concrete frame grafted onto a wooden structure with a sloped roof, and the proportions and materials of the original building did not fit the brand's minimalist and youthful tone. Moreover, the original structure of the original building was complicated and could not be demolished or modified due to the usage regulations. The proposal went through several rounds of deliberation, and finally, while completely preserving the original structure and walls, the designer created a distinctive and unique casual dining bar with a logo.

In order to echo the sloped roof form of the original building and to continue the brand's consistent design elements of sloped roof and white walls. The designer wrapped the original building inside with a pure white square box shell, and the façade extends inward with window openings in the form of a sloped roof, connecting the original building with the external square box.

On the one hand, the new façade is detached from the original structure, creating a semi-private patio between the façade and the original building; on the other hand, the sloped roof element is continued by means of the building volume reduction method, using the form of roof windows to add interest to the building.

The white, pure façade projects the shadows of the trees on both sides of the walkway, and the whole building becomes one with nature.

Crossing the trestle of the mountain stream in the distance, and looking at the pure white building opposite, the main body of the building is hidden between the trees of the mountain and the forest, with only one corner showing outside the forest, the old building stands with a new attitude and appearance, as if telling the story of its past life and present life.

The new façade is built with a combination of steel frame and cement fiber board, and the partially new façade is enclosed with the original internal wall to form an inner courtyard to introduce natural light.

The original scenic building has a total of three floors. After the renovation, the main function of the ground floor is the logistic area, the first floor is the entrance and box area, and the second floor is the open dining area. The three levels of the building plan are connected by a revolving staircase.

The original structure of the interior is complex, with closely arranged beams and columns, which greatly affects the treatment of the interior space. The designer wraps the original dense square columns with umbrella-shaped columns; the ceiling is divided by irregular circles to break the dullness of the original roof.

The interior umbrella columns rise up like tree trunks, and the "canopy" of the roof extends in all directions, echoing the trees on both sides of the outdoor trestle. Users walk around the interior as if they were walking in a pure white "forest".

The first floor can be divided into three functional areas: warehouse, bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom is set in the middle as a convenient access area for both customers and logisticians, together with the revolving staircase. The warehouse and the kitchen are separated to the left and right.

The first floor is the area where customers enter the cafe. The front desk, entrance hall and private rooms are arranged in a functional layout. The front desk and entrance hall are located on the east side of the floor plan, while the two private rooms are located on the quiet west side. The two private rooms, one to the south and one to the north, can each enjoy the different scenery of the Dragon Pond and the Phoenix Pond through the exterior windows.

The two inner courtyards, which are enclosed by the new outer wall and the original wall, are set in the lobby area and the south-facing private room respectively. As a result, the first floor plan has not only an inward and open natural view of the scenic area, but also a more inward and private man-made view.

The second floor is set up as an open dining area according to the original building plan, while retaining the structural column network. The open plan setting ensures the flexibility of future space use. The revolving staircase is located on the east side of the dining area to ensure the integrity of the dining area plan.

How to provide participants with a comfortable space for enjoyment and communication in a feng shui site with all the beauty of the lake and mountains? How to balance the relationship of all elements? It is particularly important. The building was remodeled with the usual white elements of LIM Coffee, and the roof-shaped windows were used to cleverly preserve the sloping roof of the original building. From a distance, it is hidden in the mountains and forests, and from a close distance, it is integrated within the shadows of the trees. A touch of pure white contrasts with the surrounding area and catches the eye. The white forest umbrella-shaped columns rise up from the trees in the mountains and forests, and the building will bring young vitality and wonderful leisure experience space to Baimajian Longchi Scenic Area.

Project Information
Project Name: Baimajian Longji Scenic Area Lounge & Bar
Architects/Company/Institution/Unit: Heisuke Design
Year of Completion: 2022
Building Area: 400㎡
Location: Baimajian Scenic Area, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
Photography Credits: Xu Yingda
Design Team: Yang Bo, Ye Wencha, Wu Zijun, Xiao Mingfeng, Xiao Xiangdong, Yang Nan, Gou Yongzheng, Sun Jiayi
Client: Suzhou Baimajian Longchi Scenic Area, LIM Coffee
Structural Design: Shanghai Hengtai Architectural Design Consulting Co.
Constructor: Hengtai (Suzhou) Architecture & Decoration Design Co.
Firm/Company/Institution/Unit Website: https://www.parallect-design.c...
Contact email: info@parallect-design.com