SODA architects plants bamboo stage amid qingshan mountains

the string of qingshan emerges as a bamboo mobius ring

In a quaint village in Hangzhou, The String of Qingshan is a bamboo installation set against the expansive backdrop of the bamboo-covered mountains by SODA Architects. Crafted as the central project for the local Alibaba Design Week satellite exhibition at the 2023 Reverberation Qingshan Art Season, it comprises a Mobius ring shape adorned with lively orange hues, smart optoelectronic systems and digital art to bridge the virtual and tangible realms, and a profound connection to the natural environment. Within, it transforms into a serene retreat and entertainment spot for the local villagers.

Every aspect of construction follows an indigenous approach, from locally sourced materials to on-site production and reliance on skilled local artisans. The bamboo components undergo traditional processes, ensuring a sustainable and holistic strategy in crafting this large and complex structure. ‘The architect’s ambition is to establish local public art in natural locale rather than urban industrial achievements,’ notes the team.

all images courtesy of SODA Architects

soda architects fuses modern media & the natural landscape

With two distinct types of stages — one for grand events and another for smaller performances — the team at SODA Architects presents a versatile space that engages with the community in various ways. The String of Qingshan seeks to initiate a conversation between traditional bamboo and modern digital media, the dialogue seeking resonance between visitors and the mountains and the night sky. Inspired by String Theory, the installation envisions a ‘Symphony of Life,’ where the mountains’ bamboo and human intervention intertwine to create a grand circular harp upon the Earth.

The creative direction revolves around presenting traditional materials in a novel and immersive manner, infusing a contemporary essence into the work. Programmatically controlled light and shadows turn the installation into a dazzling display resembling a spinning Milky Way amongst the mountains, creating a romantic sensation as if one has entered the starry sky.

SODA Architects sets the stage against the bamboo-covered mountains of Qingshan

the entire load-bearing section of the stage is crafted from bamboo

the woven exterior is produced by local artisans

it comprises a Mobius ring shape adorned with lively orange hues

every bamboo component is harvested locally from the mountains

traditional processes of burning, drying, and shaping were employed

programmatically controlled light illuminates the structure akin to a spinning Milky Way among the mountains

The String of Qingshan as a stage at night

project info:

name: The String of Qingshan

location: Qingshan Village, Hangzhou, China
architecture: SODA Architects

chief architect: Yuan Jiang

design team: Xueying Zhang, Hanwei Li, Jiansheng Dong, Yue He, Maosen Sang, Xue Wang, Yan Tian

digital media content production: Ying Wang

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom