The aim of the dining club is to experience the forest that is next to the site by the shore. The first thing is to deal with the relationship between the building and the nature: by doing this we let the building in contact with the forest from three sides, which then divides the volume into three units with trees planted in between, therefore the building intersects with the forest in a harmonious way and the range of scenery viewing is maximized. The three major units are connected by a circulation block facing the community. Glass curtain walls are applied at the forest-facing facade. Light transmitting concrete is used on the side facing the community, and a layer of timber gratings sits in front of it, which hides the entrance behind and blends the building with its surrounding nature. The two simple-formed pitched roofs are at different heights, and the double-layered eave brings a lightweight feeling to the building.

The project has a unique under-eave space, formed by the 2.4m overhanging roof. The space multiplies both aesthetic expression and functional experience; it is not only a transition zone that blurs the boundary between inside and outside, but also an intersected space of the building’s interior and its surrounding environment.

The entire floor is paved by grass tatami, nothing can be heard from indoor apart from the sound of falling leaves and breeze in the forest, and it feels relaxing and comfortable to touch the floor with bare foot. From the hearings to the touches, the deliberate and detailed design of this unique experience creates a blank part in the spiritual space.

The building is divided into three units according to the level of privacy: the public-opening zone, the irori zone, and the private rooms. The public-opening zone uses washi paper as ceiling finish, which makes it simple and clear. The building’s interior is kept minimalist, the timber partitions and concrete walls are free of any decorations. The building itself is intentionally faded out, in order to make people focus on experiencing the nature.

The project is an exploration of the spatial aesthetics of contemporary oriental architecture, and is a media for the communication between people and the nature.

Project Information
Architects: PLAT ASIA
Project Name: Aranya Forest Dining Club
Location: Aranya, Qinhuangdao, China
Principal Architect: DH JUNG
Project Architect: Guowei Liu
Design Team: Baoyang Bian, Qiyang Shen, Kaiqi Yang, Minjia Lv, Jingyun Lian, Dongsheng Xiao, Xinwei Liu
Photography: Arch-Exist

Client: Aranya
Operation Team: SHINKAI by Hatsune
Architecture Design: PLAT ASIA
Interior Design: PLAT ASIA
Lighting Design: Beijing Bamboo Lighting Design
Decoration Design: VIEW DECO
Furnishings Design: Nice Things
Construction Design: Beijing Huachengboyuan Engineering Technology Group

Total floor area: 901sqm
Construction Material: Steel, Light-transmitting Concrete, Glass, Zinc Plate
Decoration material: Wood, Gravel, Tatami, Washi Paper
Design Period: 10/2016-5/2017
Completion time: 5/2018