01 The shape of the ridge

-Sport and fitness center design

Type: Individual school design project

Location: Yunnan, China

Project description: The address of this project is in a valley with relatively beautiful scenery. Therefore, when designing this sports and fitness center, the first thing I considered was the relationship between the building and the natural site. Because the project site is located in a subtropical monsoon climate area. So I first inspected the local characteristic buildings, and found that many of these buildings have sloping roof structures. And their foundations are often raised due to climate and rainfall. Therefore, based on this relationship, I hope to use the form of the sloping roof to combine with the surrounding mountains to form a kind of echo.

Site analysis and case studies

The building is located in the south-west corner of China in a subtropical region. It has hot and humid climate characteristics. The building is analysed in relation to its climatic characteristics and local architecture. The site is located at the foot of a hill, which allows the use of wind and precipitation for cooling purposes.

The building's design is based on the style of the surrounding buildings and the sloping roof is the main focus of the building, which is designed to fit the mountains behind it. At the same time, the space under the eaves is fully utilised.

Explosion axonometry and flow diagrams

Interior corridor

Central garden

Outdoor corridor

Outdoor corridor

Outdoor garden

Outdoor corridor

Main flow

Views along the route

Main pedestrian flow routes

Drop off area

Design concept

In this project, the first thing I analyze is the flow of people. Separate the flow of visitors from that of staff. Visitors can walk around under the eaves, and at the same time, they can enter the central garden to watch. While people have entered the main entrance of the building, they gradually rise up following the natural topography until visitors reach the reception hall.

Design concept

Because my initial concept is to use the design of the sloping roof to echo the building with the mountain. Therefore, the design of the pitched roof becomes particularly important. During the design process, I repeatedly tried how to design the roof elegantly and beautifully. Finally, after many trials, the angle of the roof slope was determined. And it was decided to tighten the cornice of the roof inwards. The purpose is to eliminate the heavy feeling of a large roof. These continuous roofs are very beautiful and light from a distance.

1 : Main exercise room (10-20 people)

2 : Small exercise room (5-8 people)

3 :Changing rooms & toilets

4 :Reception room

5 :Tea room

6 :Kitchen

7 :Coffee Bar

1 :Tea room

1 : Main exercise room (10-20 people)

2 : Small exercise room (5-8 people)

3 :Changing rooms & toilets

4 :Reception room

5 :Tea room

1 :Small exercise room (5-8 people)

2 :Terrace garden

Design concept on the left side

The rendering on the left shows what tourists see in the drop-off area. When visitors approach the building from a distance, they will gradually find that the shape of the building becomes clearer and clearer. When the distance is relatively close, the first thing you see is the sloping roof style of the coffee area. When you walk forward in the scene shown in this picture, you will see the main entrance of the building complex and the square in front of the building.

Design concept on the right side

The rendering on the right shows the garden in front of the complex. Visitors can enjoy the fresh air outdoors. Not only that, visitors can also take a walk or exercise in the garden. When visitors walk to the south end of the garden, they can sit on the steps by the river and enjoy the breeze. After visiting the outdoor garden, visitors can move to the garden in the center of the building. There is a trail leading to reception.

A walkway along the circle of the building is also designed in the space under the eaves of the sloping roof. This not only enriches the moving line. And people can also take a walk therein to shelter from the rain when it is raining.

Thanks to the close relationship between the functional blocks of the building. Therefore, when tourists want to use certain functions, they can easily go to various places through the space under the eaves of the roof or the central garden.