CHENGDE CAMPING CENTRE

STUDIO: B.L.U.E Architects

PROJECT: Chengde Camping Centre

During my internship at B.L.U.E Architects, I had the opportunity to contribute to the Chengde Camping Centre project. My main responsibilities included creating a scaled model of the proposal, developing architectural plans, and crafting perspectives to present to clients. Additionally, I actively participated in the project’s evolution through numerous client meetings and iterative processes, which eventually led us to the final design. Situated in Chengde, a region in China, this project was commissioned by a private developer aiming to establish a camping retreat in the mountainous area. As camping has become a growing trend in the country, our studio was entrusted with the task of designing the visitor center for this camping retreat. Our design approach sought to harmonize the structure with the surrounding natural environment. Emphasizing the distinctive large stones in the area, we integrated them as structural pillars that support the roof and upper levels of our building. The overarching theme was to create a structure that appears to emerge organically from the stones themselves, blending seamlessly with the landscape.

COLLABORATORS: Viki Chou | Xia Cong

The project posed an intriguing engineering challenge, as the client’s requirement was to have the stones serve as structural support for the building. This added a layer of complexity to the structure but presented an engaging problem to solve. Through a series of trials, tests, and consultations with engineers, we devised a solution: creating anchors that would securely attach the stones to one another. This innovative approach ensured the structural integrity of the building while maintaining the aesthetic vision of incorporating the stones into the design.