Two innovative concrete pavilions designed by WUWU Atelier have transformed the concept of public restrooms in China's Nanjing Sifang Art Lake District, creating an immersive architectural experience that seamlessly blends utilitarian function with artistic expression and natural integration.
The two distinctive structures, known as "The Cloud on Trees" and "The Window in Valley," represent a revolutionary approach to public amenities, reinterpreting traditional restroom design as sculptural installations that offer users a contemplative spatial encounter with the surrounding forest environment.
The first pavilion, "The Cloud on Trees," appears to float gracefully above the forest floor within a pine grove, supported by slender concrete pillars that deliberately mirror the scale and proportions of the surrounding tree trunks. This elevated structure is accessible via a narrow bridge that connects from a nearby parking area, creating a transitional experience between the urban infrastructure and the natural setting.
The exterior of "The Cloud on Trees" features irregular concrete panels that clad the building like textured clouds, designed to capture and reflect the dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. These panels echo both the visual texture and tonal qualities of the pine bark from nearby trees, creating a harmonious dialogue between the built structure and its natural context.
In stark contrast, "The Window in Valley" pavilion remains almost completely hidden from view when approached from the road. This second structure is strategically positioned between two sloping hillsides and features a grass-covered roof that blends seamlessly into the surrounding terrain. Only a discrete staircase and elevator tower provide subtle hints of the building's presence beneath the landscape.
Visitors to "The Window in Valley" experience a unique descent into the architecture rather than approaching it at ground level. The narrow staircase serves as a deliberate transitional element, while long horizontal windows begin to frame carefully composed views of the forest through strategic slits of light and greenery.
This innovative project builds upon the established legacy of the Sifang Art District, which was originally initiated in 2003 as part of the China International Practical Exhibition of Architecture. That groundbreaking initiative brought together 24 architects from around the world to explore and test new spatial possibilities in architectural design.
Now, more than two decades later, WUWU Atelier's contribution adds a quieter but equally intentional architectural gesture that deliberately shifts focus from monumental design statements to intimate, everyday experiences that enhance daily life through thoughtful design.
Throughout both structures, the design team drew extensive inspiration from the natural context, utilizing formless concrete techniques to mimic the unpredictability and organic qualities of the natural environment. The construction process involved innovative approaches to shaping surface textures through detailed model-making, clay sculpting techniques, and specialized film-wrapped formwork methods.
The resulting imperfections were deliberately incorporated into the final design, imbuing the architecture with a distinctive tactile softness that is further reinforced by the buildings' open-air rest areas. In these contemplative spaces, visitors can pause among the trees and observe a carefully preserved pine tree that rises through a circular cutout in the ceiling, creating a direct connection between interior and exterior environments.
The interior stalls of "The Cloud on Trees" pavilion extend this ongoing dialogue with nature through floor-to-ceiling windows that face directly toward the forest, providing users with clear views of the surrounding pines during use. Electric frosted glass technology ensures privacy when needed while maintaining the connection to the natural environment. This innovative transparency approach focuses on reorienting the senses, framing views of the forest, and inviting natural air and shifting shadows to intermingle with daily routines.
Inside "The Window in Valley," the deliberate contrast between rough, wrinkled concrete textures and polished interior surfaces creates an intensified spatial experience for users. A circular skylight positioned overhead casts a soft halo of natural daylight across the interior space, adding a contemplative rhythm to what would otherwise be considered a purely mundane programmatic function.
The design team at WUWU Atelier describes the interior space as cave-like in terms of its distinctive sensory clarity, with carefully crafted walls that cradle shadows and varied surface textures that change and respond to human touch. This multisensory approach transforms the utilitarian function into an almost meditative experience.
Both concrete pavilions represent a discrete yet distinctly sculptural interpretation of utilitarian amenities, demonstrating how thoughtful architectural design can elevate everyday infrastructure into meaningful artistic expressions. The structures successfully echo the natural landscape while providing essential public services, creating an immersive approach to public infrastructure that prioritizes both function and experiential quality.
The project stands as a testament to innovative architectural thinking that considers the broader context of place, user experience, and the potential for public amenities to contribute positively to both natural environments and human experience. Through careful attention to material properties, spatial relationships, and sensory engagement, WUWU Atelier has created structures that serve as both functional infrastructure and contemplative architectural art pieces.
