Excerpt: The Observation Deck of Li Village River Park, an architecture project by Atelier LI, serves as the park’s service facility, vertical circulation joint, and viewing platform. A ramp made of triangular slabs of anticorrosive wood connects the upper level of the city road to the lower level of the riverbank. The roof platform offers a stunning view of the river’s landscape, and its undulating floor makes it an inviting spot for pedestrians to pause.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Located on the south bank of Li Village River in the city of Qingdao, the observation deck plays a mixed role of vertical circulation joint, viewing platform and service facility of the park. A series of triangular slabs covered by anticorrosive wood form a ramp about 40m long, connecting the lower level of the riverbank and the upper level of the city road with a height difference of 3m. The roof platform provides a beautiful view of the river’s landscape and an undulating floor makes an inviting stop for pedestrians nearby.
After people walk down through the ramp and experience an interesting promenade on the softly undulating deck, the whole form of this contemporary structure will finally be discovered entirely. All the service facilities, including toilets and storage room, are covered under the roof deck, with metal grille on the façade. Viewed from afar and across the river, it’s a geometrical system growing from the soft landscape naturally but twisting with force.
The harmony and the conflict coexist, producing a dramatic visual effect. In the Chinese mode for property development, a river park plays an important role in connecting all subdivisions of land and providing outdoor natural public space. A dynamic architectural service facility of the park makes a tiny surprise for the ordinary daily life of the residents living in the vast suburb.
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