Architects: 3andwich Deisgn / He Wei Studio
Area: 460 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: DONG Image
Lead Architects: He Wei
Construction Unit: Fujian Minxinsheng Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
Category: Gallery, Public Architecture, Sustainability & Green Design
Design Team: Wang Ziyi, Meng Xiangting, Wu Wenquan, Liu Hao, He Xingchen, Wang Jun, Zhi Haiyang
Collaborators: Beijing VAGE Institute of Architectural Design & Planning Co., Ltd , UNI-Lighting
Clients: Fujian Jinhai Tourism Investment and Development Co., Ltd.
City: Ningde
Country: China
The Blue Insight Cave Space cultural and tourism project designed by 3andwich Design / He Wei Studio in Xiapu, Ningde, China forms part of the “Zero Carbon Island” initiative and occupies a coastal site formerly used as a viewing platform and parking area. Adjacent to the East China Sea, the building draws inspiration from nearby reefs and sea caves and embodies the principles of precipitousness, concealment, and integration, as defined by the client. Its irregular form mimics natural landforms and is partially buried underground to minimize environmental disruption and energy use. Visitors enter through a semicircular rooftop entrance that leads to a series of interconnected cave-like interior spaces. These organically shaped volumes accommodate exhibitions, gatherings, and food services. The project contributes to local tourism by offering a distinctive public space and has become a cultural landmark along Donghai No.1 Road, addressing the area’s former lack of high-quality cultural infrastructure.
The project is located along Donghai No.1 Road in Xiapu, Ningde City, Fujian Province, and plays an important role in the development of Ningde’s “Zero Carbon Island.” The original site included a viewing platform and a parking lot. Positioned next to the East China Sea, the location offers expansive views. Directly opposite the platform is Bijia Mountain Island, which rises prominently from the sea, with cliffs below marked by numerous reefs and sea caves. The combination of sea breeze, waves, islands, reefs, and caves contributes to a distinctive coastal landscape.
Following discussions with the owner, a shared agreement on the design principles was established. According to Chairman Zhou Wenling of the Ningde Tourism Development Group, the building was to embody three key concepts: “precipitousness, concealment, and integration.” Precipitousness refers to facing the sea without surpassing it, while also evoking a sense of danger and suspension. Concealment involves being embedded in the ground, appearing modestly like something that grows from the earth, remaining quiet and unobtrusive to the environment. Integration signifies harmonizing with the coastal landscape and reflecting the local cultural context.
The design draws inspiration from the surrounding reefs and sea caves near the site. The building features an irregular, non-right-angled form that evokes the appearance of nearby reef formations. It adopts a soil-covered structure, minimizing land use to the greatest extent possible. The main volume of the building is positioned underground, a decision that respects environmental conditions while also helping to maintain a stable indoor temperature, thereby reducing energy consumption for cooling during the summer months.
The main entrance of the building is positioned on the west side of the roof and takes the form of a semi-circular structure that emerges from below ground. From this point, visitors access the interior through a descending passage. Inside, the building consists of multiple interconnected spaces resembling caves. The architect, inspired by the sea-eroded landforms surrounding the site, designed an organic and expressive interior through spatial mimicry. These interior spaces are intended to accommodate exhibitions, small gatherings, and catering services.
The Blue Insight Cave Space is a modest cultural and tourism project that holds significant value for the local community. It introduces a new public space for visitors to Donghai No.1 Road, addressing the long-standing absence of high-quality cultural facilities in the area. Moreover, the building’s distinctive form and experiential qualities have established it as a new cultural and tourism landmark, contributing effectively to drawing public interest and increasing visitor engagement.
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Project Location
Address: Xiapu County, Ningde City, Fujian Province, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
