Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
Bamboo Pavilion
In a Shanghai alleyway, tucked away from the bustle of city life, a textured black door gives way to a tranquil sanctuary. Here, the Bamboo Pavilion unfolds as a carefully choreographed series of vignettes that facilitate the flow of energy and foster the connection between its inhabitants and the local ecosystem. The design of this venue for various cultural and artistic activities, courtesy of Vermilion Zhou Design Group, embodies the elegance and purity of the bamboo plant itself — an enduring source of inspiration and identity in Chinese culture.
Naturally, bamboo was the obvious material around which to craft the interior palette (with the added benefit of being a sustainable choice). Wood-framed sliding doors inlaid with bamboo silk subtly delineate the dining rooms while filtering in natural light. Underfoot, bamboo and stone flooring create a delicate sensory contrast throughout the pavilion. “In this interplay of clarity and softness, worldly distractions dissolve,” the designers explain.
The layout, meanwhile, draws inspiration from ancient Chinese interiors, which cultivate a sense of movement and depth through the gradual layering and division of space. The cadence from room to room, then, becomes of the utmost importance. The sliding screen doors, for instance, enable flexible transitions between the different functional zones. But the most significant connection is between indoors and out: The pavilion overlooks a contemplative courtyard with an idyllic pond that brings the beauty of nature in.
Marrying classical Eastern aesthetics with modern spatial planning, this cultural hub honours the Chinese tradition of bamboo while championing the material’s continued relevance in contemporary design. Its thoughtful, minimalist ambience prompts visitors to turn their gazes inward, offering a spiritual refuge within its urban setting.
Team: Kuang Ming (Ray) Chou, Garvin Hung, Vera Chu, Xiao Bo
and Ting Ting Guo
In a Shanghai alleyway, tucked away from the bustle of city life, a textured black door gives way to a tranquil sanctuary.
