Resting Loop with Views By HCCH Studio

Resting Loop with Views is a sculptural public pavilion by HCCH Studio, located on a platform encircled by the dramatic landscape of Mount Luofu in Huizhou, China. Conceived as a rest stop and viewing point for cyclists, the project transforms a previously residual site: wedged between a highway and a parallel river: into an active destination for pause, social interaction, and landscape appreciation.

Originally functioning as a buffer zone and informal parking area at a sharp road turn, the site offered little experiential value. The pavilion reclaims this in-between terrain, redefining it as a piece of landscape-integrated public architecture that serves both movement and rest.

A Floating Concrete Donut in the Landscape

The pavilion takes the form of a porous concrete ring, often described as a “flying donut” or UFO-like structure, hovering lightly above a stone platform. With an outer diameter of 16 meters, the circular geometry establishes a continuous loop that encourages movement, observation, and return.

The architectural form operates on two levels:

• Lower level: a sunken plaza with seating for rest, drinks, and informal gathering
• Upper level: an elevated promenade forming an endless-loop walkway

This dual-level configuration allows visitors to experience the landscape from different heights, framing views of the river, sky, and surrounding mountains.

Framing Nature Through Architecture

Vertical cuts slice through the circular form in multiple directions, generating oval openings that act as carefully calibrated viewfinders. These apertures overlap spatially, producing layered visual relationships between water, greenery, sky, and built form.

As one walks along the ring, the experience constantly shifts, from looking outward toward distant mountains to gazing inward toward the sunken plaza below. The pavilion thus functions as a 360-degree viewing platform, choreographing movement and perception through geometry.

Programmatic Core and Social Infrastructure

Three concrete support volumes anchor the ring to the ground plane. These elements house essential public amenities:

• A small café serving cyclists and visitors
• A public restroom
• A storage space

Doors and windows are aligned to visually connect these volumes, reinforcing openness and orientation within the compact footprint. The dark, hammered concrete finish echoes the texture of the stone paving and complements the sculptural seating elements known as “Social Stone,” designed by SU Chang.

Together, these elements support both functional use and social interaction, making the pavilion a lively public node.

Material Expression: Bamboo and Concrete

Material contrast plays a central role in shaping the pavilion’s atmosphere. The exterior concrete surface was cast in situ using molds made from raised-texture bamboo, approximately 7 cm in diameter. This technique embeds a tactile memory of natural material directly into the concrete skin, grounding the structure in its surrounding environment.

In contrast, the interior surfaces are smooth and seamless, producing a calm, abstract spatial experience. The transition between rough and smooth finishes becomes especially pronounced at the oval cut edges, where ruffled profiles accentuate the bamboo texture.

This dialogue between wild texture and refined surface reinforces the pavilion’s conceptual balance between nature and artifice.

From Quiet Retreat to Popular Landmark

Initially envisioned as a tranquil resting place in the mountains, Resting Loop with Views quickly evolved into a vibrant destination. Its striking form and panoramic views have made it a must-stop landmark for cyclists and travelers alike.

Rather than resisting this popularity, the pavilion embraces its role as an active piece of contemporary public infrastructure, filled with conversation, movement, and the ambient sounds of road and river.

Architectural Significance

Resting Loop with Views demonstrates how small-scale public architecture can:

• Reclaim leftover infrastructure spaces
• Encourage sustainable mobility such as cycling
• Frame and enhance natural landscapes
• Combine sculptural form with everyday utility

Through its circular geometry, tactile materiality, and experiential layering, HCCH Studio delivers a pavilion that is both iconic and deeply site-responsive. The project stands as a compelling example of landscape-driven public architecture in contemporary China.

All the photographs are works of  Qingyan Zhu, Fangfang Tian, Arch-Exist