continuous cloud-shaped canopy tops atelier xi's tourist service center in shenzhen, china

‘cloudland’ tourist center by atelier xi in Shenzhen

Located amid high-rise office buildings in the Science and Technology District of Nanshan, Shenzhen, CloudLand Tourist Service Center by architectural practice Atelier Xi stretches horizontally across a series of spaces that provide leisure services for visitors and locals. The work appears as a continuous cloud-shaped ceiling that connects various functions such as a book café, public restrooms, outdoor seating, and gardens. The result is a center that not only provides indoor and outdoor areas for resting, protected from the sun and rain, but also frames the sky, the trees, the clouds, and the urban landscape with its artfully curved eaves.

bird eye view of the Cloudland tourist service center by Atelier Xi

all images courtesy of Chaos Zhang

a light cloud floating in the shadows of the trees

Responding to the arc geometries of the existing landscape, the concept by Atelier Xi echoes the theme of a ‘cloud’ and proposes a continuous arc-shaped roof to link the various functions scattered along the circular jogging pathway of the park. The roof creates concave and convex silhouettes on various facades and grounds using light and shadows. Throughout the day, these shadowy figures change their properties and arrangements, creating a visually polyphonic vista in an ever-changing setting. Viewed from the adjacent skyscrapers, the pavilion appears as a light cloud floating in the shadows of trees and flowers, simultaneously initiating a dialogue between architecture and nature.

The interior of CloudLand consists of a book café and a relaxation area. The café features a warm texture of wood veneer and serves as a space with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the surrounding landscape, creating a cozy atmosphere for relaxation. The interior and exterior ceilings are made of aluminum panels of the same color, with recessed lighting to create a continuous spatial experience from inside to outside. In addition, the architects specially customized the cloud-inspired dining table, door handles and other details to echo the theme at all levels.

the entrance of the Cloudland tourist service center

undulating seating invites families under a cloud-shaped pavilion

The interior of the resting areas provides visitors with bright light and colors, smooth materials, and views of the gardens. The exterior walls are made of white-washed stone, while the interior walls and floors are made of light-grey terrazzo, both of which add a touch of natural texture to the facilities. In the outdoor garden, Atelier Xi customized the undulating outdoor seating and plantation, which has turned out to be a favorite spot for family visitors.

After the completion of the CloudLand, the book cafe has become a go-to place in the local community for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, while the outdoor porch continues to offer a shelter for spontaneous public events to happen. As the pavilion is well received in the neighborhood, more and more communal activities are now happening around the building, such as artistic sketching sessions and bakery workshops, etc.

the pavilion manifests itself as a light piece of cloud floating in the shades of the trees

the concept echoes the theme of a ‘cloud’ proposing a continuous arc-shaped roof

the outdoor porch offers a shelter for spontaneous public events to take place

In the outdoor garden, the undulating outdoor seating has turned out to be a favorite spot for family visitors

project info: 

name: Cloudland Tourist Center
architects: Atelier Xi
lead architect: Chen Xi
design team: Zhu Jing(Project Architect), Huang Jiajie, He Mengning, Weng Cekai, Zhu zhu, Xu Huanshi(Intern), Sun Ziyue(Intern), Zhang Peng(Intern)

client: Shenzhen Nanshan District City Administration Bureau
project coordination: China Resources (Shenzhen) Urban Construction and Operation
construction documents: Shenzhen Branch of China Science architectural planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd
landscape design: Lin Jun Ying Landscape Design Studio – Shenzhen Zaoyuan landscape tourism planning and Design Co., Ltd
construction company: Shenzhen Huabang Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
location: Science and Technology District of Nanshan, Shenzhen, China
area: 190 sqm