Crescent-Shaped Weihai Pavilion Engages With the Seascape in China

The <a href="http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/6834/" target="_blank">Weihai Pavilion</a> is a temporary space that provides information about a new development on an island of reclaimed land near Weihai, China. Designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/make-architects">Make Architects</a> to engage with the seascape, the pavilion seeks to reduce its environmental impact through architectural strategies. Orientation and solar passive design minimize heat gain inside, while sustainable and local materials like bamboo are used extensively.

<a href="http://www.makearchitects.com/" target="_blank">Make Architects</a> completed the &lt;a href=&quot;<a href="http://www.makearchitects.com/#/projects/6834/" target="_blank">Weihai Pavilion</a>" target="_blank"&gt;Weihai Pavilion</a> in the spring of 2012 to serve as an information hub and reception area for a new residential development on the island.

The pavilion was the first to be constructed on the island and leads visitors on a slowly unfolding journey of discovery.

Once inside, the visitors are wander through a series of spaces in which the views to the ocean are gradually revealed.

The pavilion is divided into two main spaces and separated by a spine wall clad in warm honey-colored bamboo.

All the materials otherwise were sourced locally in Weihai.

As it is a seaside development, the pavilion was designed to engage with the ocean and takes full advantage of the views with a curved glass wall.

Oriented so that the majority of the glazing faces south-east and the ocean, this crescent shaped pavilion minimizes exposure to the hot, western, afternoon sun.

Those facades that are oriented in the sun's path are highly insulated to minimize energy loss.

Meanwhile, a large overhanging roof sails out over the glass wall to provide shade.

In addition to the solar passive strategies, the building makes use of radiant floor heating and cooling.

A concrete floor slab acts as thermal mass and the building uses natural ventilation when the weather is conducive.

Simon Lincoln, Project Architect for the Weihai Pavilion, Make Architects, said, “The Weihai Pavilion, is designed so that its users can see the full beauty of the ocean from the comfort of the pavilion. Reducing environmental impact in everything we build is a priority, and this is a philosophy that informs our decisions from the beginning to the end of the design and construction process."

"The pavilion is only glazed on one elevation to provide 180 degree uninterrupted views, the rest of the structure is solid. The glazed facade allows floods of natural light into the main space while the over-sailing roof provides shade for the building during the hot summer months. These elements ensure a more energy efficient building.”