This is a concept design for a leisure centre in the southeast of the Shangyu District in China. The site is located by the Zao’li Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the region that was manually excavated in ancient times when the area was suffering from drought and flood. The locals gave up their farmland in order to collect enough soil to build embankments to prevent flooding and save the villages.

The design celebrates the extraordinary landscape that was created by the locals, with a proposal that blends into its natural surroundings. The orientation and openings of the building are driven by the angles of natural daylight, wind direction, and sightlines towards the lake. The curves of the building choreograph visitors towards panoramic vistas while creating patios and balconies for lingering and taking in the calm. The environmental design was for a breathable, cross-ventilated building, allowing cool breezes to pass through the interiors during the summer months.