atelier deshaus embeds a visitor center into yunyang riverfront in china

atelier deshaus has completed the yunyang riverfront visitor center in chongqing, china. situated in a small bay area of yangtze river, the building is designed to establish a relationship with the site and the rolling green mountains that surround it. 

the upper and lower level plaza are placed on top of one another

image © schran images

the area is currently being transformed with coastal and river engineering. this project by atelier deshaus seeks to preserve the bay while creating a public space along a new riverfront greenbelt. the visitor center is embedded into the ground and protrudes out over the riverbank. the building is composed of two storys and two plazas: one at upper level and one at lower level. 

the upper level plaza pointing toward the mountains across the water

image © schran images

the roof plan resembles an isosceles triangle, whose apex points across the water to the mountain peak opposite. the exterior volume of the visitor center is designed around geometrical pureness and it is articulated by a distinct horizontality. 

the lower level plaza provides framed views of the river and mountain landscape

image © schran images

the upper level plaza is located on top of a revetment and offers uninterrupted views of the impressive river landscape. with a depth of nearly a hundred meters, this plaza creates an almost ceremonial experience of walking toward the mountain ridge opposite, further enhancing the monumentality of the surroundings. the lower level plaza also offers incredible views on two sides, however, this time the scenery is beautifuly framed by the structure of the building. 

the lower level plaza

image © schran images

the yunyang riverfront visitor center sits at the intersection of natural and manmade environments. by embedding the building into the site like an ancient artifact dug from the ground, and by highlighting (or literally pinpointing) views of the river and mountains, the yunyang riverfront visitor center intends to connect with the site on both a physical and metaphysical level.

an exterior staircase connects the lower level plaza with the greenbelt on the riverbank

image © schran images

the architectural form has a strong horizontality

image © schran images

view of the new visitor center from the river

image © schran images

site plan © atelier deshaus

underground level floor plan © atelier deshaus

elevation © atelier deshaus

section © atelier deshaus

project info:

project name: yunyang riverfront visitor center in chongqing

location: chongqing, china

architecture firm: atelier deshaus

design team: chen yifeng, liu yichun, gao lin, song chongfang, wang xuepei

photography: schran images

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom