Jinji Lake Pavilion / BIGSave this picture! StudioSZ Photo / Justin SzeremetaChinaArchitects: Bjarke Ingels GroupAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1200 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2025 PhotographsPhotographs:StudioSZ Photo / Justin SzeremetaMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. BIG Bjarke Ingels Group has completed the 1,200-m2 Jinji Lake Pavilion in Suzhou, China. Situated on the Jinji waterfront, the pavilion offers a space for public gatherings and hospitality and is one of the eleven permanent pavilions developed as part of the City's initiative to create a vibrant and welcoming promenade.Save this picture!Designed by BIG and Arts Group, the new Jinji Lake Pavilion merges the traditional Chinese courtyard typology with the offerings of a modern public space. Four distinct buildings are interconnected to form a gathering space for visitors and locals, as well as a resting point for walkers along the 13-km Jinji Laketrail.The pavilion is BIG's first completed building in Suzhou, with the neighboring Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art scheduled to follow later this year.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!"Nestled under the grand camphor trees along the lake, the Jinji Lake Pavilion provides a tranquil space for the community. It is envisioned as an extension of the surrounding canopy of foliage. A stylized roof of pixelated leaves gracefully drapes toward the ground, providing a protective canopy over the junction of paths and framing spectacular views of the lake. Perforated plates cast dappled shadows, imitating the pattern of leaves while providing optimal thermal performance, blending poetic beauty with functionality."- Catherine Huang, Partner, BIGSave this picture!The pavilion's generous glass facades allow views of the landscape from the inside, while the polished steel surfaces mirror light and greenery, creating a subtle connection between the pavilion and the waterfront park. The pixelated roof further breaks down the scale of the structure, blending it with the textures of the surrounding environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!"The Jinji Lake Pavilion is conceived as a family of public rooms arranged under a single unifying canopy. Evoking the architecture of traditional Chinese teahouses, the glazed ceramic tiled roof is replaced by actual glass tiles, taking the concept of lightness and transparency to another level, and blurring the distinction between indoor and outdoor - garden and architecture. Like a little sister to the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, the Jinji Lake Pavilion seeks to reimagine the future architecture and landscape of the Lake District rooted in the rich heritage of Suzhou's Chinese garden architecture."- Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIGSave this picture!The pavilion's roof is lifted on each side, creating generous double-height entrances that guide visitors into the central courtyard, where a tree serves as a tranquil focal point at the heart of the space. From the courtyard, guests can access the four sections of the pavilion, each housing its own function: a coffee shop, a boutique, a restaurant, and a visitor center. Drawing the surroundings inside the pavilion, the roof structure features two layers of perforated shading elements an outer layer integrated into a glass assembly and an inner layer forming the ceiling. Together, they provide glimpses into the sky and allow daylight to come through the perforations, casting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Suzhou, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsGlassSteelMaterials and TagsPublished on February 21, 2025Cite: "Jinji Lake Pavilion / BIG" 21 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027184/jinji-lake-pavilion-big&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream