META-project's ski slope observatory frames vistas of a picturesque chinese landscape

the songhua lake resort shows a lesser known part of china, one of vast natural beauty, and — as of recently — boasts a man made addition to its picturesque hills. the ‘stage of forest’ sits atop a ski slope among a mongolian oak forest, overlooking the vast mountain range down below.

image by vanke songhua lake resort © vanke songhua lake resort
(banner image by su shengliang © META-project)

the project was designed by beijing-based firm META-project, and intends to blend into its surroundings. with a concrete base and sidings of charred cedar, the outlook’s color matches that of the mountainside, with shingles that almost shimmer with their silver hue.

the structure overlooks the vast mountain range down below
image by vanke songhua lake resort © vanke songhua lake resort

entering the observatory, you find yourself in a darkened stairwell, where the light only seeps in from spaces beyond. winding your way upstairs, you emerge from a narrow stairwell into a grand vista of the rolling mountains covered with snow and the frozen lake. the wide panoramic window cuts off the ground below and gives the sensation of weightlessness and flight. on the floor of the observatory, organic shapes cut-out of red cedar walls and floors reveal other views and allow for different perspectives of interest.

the cedar singles shimmer with their silver hue
image by vanke songhua lake resort © vanke songhua lake resort

the designers explain that they wished to give the user a connection with the landscape and the surrounding nature. this is the motivation for their various framed views and a driving force for the building’s unique triangular shape, which is described as having the likeness to a falling leaf. lacking the symmetry that exists in most manmade structures, the observatory has been carefully planed to give a wide array of various impressions and sensations. skiers go inside to rest from the slopes and are rewarded by the playful structures and breathtaking views they find inside.

the panoramic vista gives the sensation of weightlessness and flight
image by su shengliang © META-project

integrated seating for respite from winter sports
image by su shengliang © META-project

the concrete was set to match the texture of the wood
image by su shengliang © META-project

skiers are welcomed by the playful structures and breathtaking views they find inside
image by su shengliang © META-project

one of many different perspectives of interest
image by su shengliang © META-project

beautifully framed moments in the architecture
image by su shengliang © META-project

the project’s interior has beautifully framed moments 
image by su shengliang © META-project

the structure attempts to camouflage itself in the natural landscape
image by su shengliang © META-project

dusk ensues on the mountain top
image by su shengliang © META-project

the structure in harmony with its surroundings 
image by su shengliang © META-project

a nightly show of light on the mountaintop
image by su shengliang © META-project

project info:

project name: stage of forest
architects & designers: wang shuo, zhang jing, cao shibiao,jiang shuo,yang shangzhi
lead architects: wang shuozhang jing
client: vanke songhua lake resort
location: ji linchina
use: viewing platform, event space
area: 277 sqm
completed: 2017