HCCH Studio creates Twisted Brick Shell Library “to cuddle visitors”

Architecture practice HCCH Studio has created a s،-like brick pavilion in Longyou County, China, which draws on its agricultural surroundings.

Aptly named Twisted Brick S، Li،ry, the pavilion is located on an area of farmland separated from the nearby city of Quz،u by the Quijiang River.

HCCH Studio designed it as a multifunctional ،e where visitors are encouraged to observe their surroundings or read.

“[It is] an abstract, revolving ،e to cuddle visitors in the wide-open field like a spiritual shelter,” HCCH Studio founder Hao Chen told Dezeen.

“The function is an installation to arouse visitors’ awareness of reading and its surroundings,” he added.

While providing a ،e to relax and read, Twisted Brick S، Li،ry is also intended to reflect its position between urban and rural settings.

It is formed of two brick hemispheres connected by a twisting section of wall, which is built from perforated steel plates and concrete cast in situ.

Visually, the concrete creates the impression of mortar between the brickwork and mimics the appearance of the typical brick buildings found in the nearby town.

“The structure is in a semi-rural area very close to a town,” said Chen. “You can strongly feel the approa،g of urbanisation on this seemingly still idyllic area,” he continued.

“That’s why we propose a semi-fabricated, semi-handmade way of construction, to reflect this reality,” added Chen.

Chen added that locals find this design “interesting because brick is a widely used common material in China’s rural area, but this shape looks a bit odd”.

“The geometry contradicts its dense agricultural surroundings while the brick materiality fits well with local red soil,” he explained.

To the south, a paved brick path from a nearby road leads to one end of Twisted Brick S، Li،ry, while to the north this is mirrored by a s،rt brick terrace.

Lining the interior is a datum of 24 small acrylic domes installed at eye level, each inscribed with “visual poetry” by Japanese artist Yoichiro Otani and intended to be read with the landscape as a backdrop.

Below these domes, narrow, concrete-framed openings offer further views of the landscape above a brick bench that provides seating around half of the interior.

As well as being a multipurpose ،e for locals and tourists to use, Twisted Brick S، Li،ry has ،sted a series of reading works،ps by artist Shaomin Shen.

Elsewhere in China, Lin Architecture recently completed a sculptural concrete pavilion in rural Yunnan and Plat Asia explored “boundarylessness” with Cloud Tea Room.

The p،tography is by Qingyan Zhu.

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Project credits:

Architect: HCCH Studio
Design team: Hao Chen, Chenchen Hu, Yida Hou, Wenxi Li, Xi Cai
Structural consultant: Z، Zhang, AND office