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Xiangchun (toona sinensis) holds a unique significance in the lives of people in Shandong, symbolizing nostalgia and regional culture. Often rain-grown, its seeds drift with the wind. Due of their intense spring aroma, it becomes a key ingredient for "tasting the spring." In the valley of Zibo City, Shandong, four Xiangchun seeds once took root and grew beside a solitary rock, eventually transforming into four large trees encircling the rock. They witness the natural succession and have become symbols carrying local memory and emotion, forming the core and narrative starting point for the "Circle Pit" installation.
"Circle Pit" was created for spontaneous activities. Its name draws inspiration from the metal music live phenomenon "circle pit," where this circular interaction symbolizes group cohesion and energy flow, encouraging movement within a space. Studio Clash aimed to use "Circle Pit" to transform an everyday rural space into a stage for community energy. Initially, this grassy area was an ideal location for a homestay event but lacked a defined platform. "Circle Pit" responds to this need, it functions both as tiered seating for crowds and can transform into a stage for events; the circular seating on its back provides a playful nook for children. The installation intervenes humbly, respecting nature's randomness without altering the trajectory of natural succession, while imbuing the space with community significance. It becomes a stage for celebration, allowing people to gather and witness the memory of the land.
The installation consists of multiple overlapping circles surrounding the central Xiangchun trees and rock. These four trees are a part of the collective memory of local residents, so the team prioritized plant protection throughout the design and construction process. The layout avoids the root systems of the trees, employing a lightweight supporting structure to minimize disturbance to their growth environment. Professional horticulturists provided guidance during construction to ensure the trees' growth was unaffected, allowing them to continue thriving within the embrace of the installation.
The 7.2-meter diameter dynamic spiral features a 2.3-meter high viewing platform, forms a step-like platform for resting and sightseeing. The circular seating at the back is arranged at varying heights, allowing people to find shade beneath it to escape the sun while still being part of the interaction. It provides a sense of shelter for children, making it convenient for play and rest. This space becomes a vessel for daily activities, a place for people to gather, gaze into the distance, or become performers. This reinforced the idea of using stairs as the primary form of the installation, serving as a reinterpretation of both space and time.
"Circle Pit" is constructed with a steel structure, with the design of its joints, standardized connectors were used, providing a foundation for its detachable design. This facilitates future maintenance and allows for components to be recycled and reused once the installation's purpose is fulfilled or if it needs to be relocated. Through its spatial design, "Circle Pit" encourages people to move through and explore it. The outer layer of perforated panels reduces the sense of massiveness. LED light strips installed beneath the handrails cast light through the perforations at night, resembling lanterns floating in the mountains, redefining the relationship between people and the valley.
Project Name：Circle Pit
Architecture Firm: Studio Clash
Project location: Zibo, Shandong
Construction Date: 2025.03
Gross Built Area: 50m2
Programs: Installation, Auditorium seats
Design Team: Cohaul Guohao Chen, Yuxin Wen, Zuxian Kang
Photographer: Studio Clash