FOUR XIANGCHUN TREES ANCHOR A CIRCULAR GATHERING SPACE
The Circle Pit is located in a valley in Zibo, Shandong Province, and is a specific site installation by Studio Clash arranged around four mature Xiangchun (Toona sinensis) trees growing around a solitary rock. The project is based on the cultural significance of Xiangchun in the north Chinawhere the tree is associated with local identity, seasonal rituals and collective memory. Through a circular architectural intervention, the installation is combined landscapecommunity use and conservation of the environment in a single spatial context. The four Xiangchun trees form both the physical and conceptual center of the project. Having grown from wind-dispersed seeds in a cluster surrounding a rock formation, they have become a recognizable feature of the local landscape. Studio Clash uses this existing condition as a starting point for design, treating trees as living markers of place and continuity.
The name Circle Pit refers to the circular movement associated with the “circle pit” phenomenon in live music culture, where participants move collectively around a common center. This concept of circulation, gathering and collective energy informed the spatial organization of the facility. The project was designed as a customizable platform capable of supporting both everyday use and larger community events.
Prior to the intervention, the site served as an open grassy area frequently used for activities related to neighboring residential development, but lacked a defined gathering structure. The Circle Pit introduces a multi-level system of circular platforms that function as seating, viewing infrastructure and event space. The tiered configuration can accommodate the audience during performances, while also serving as an informal landscape element for everyday use.
all images courtesy of Studio Clash
SPIRAL PLATFORMS Steppers and Steel handrails from Circle Pit
The installation consists of overlapping circular geometries arranged around the existing trees and rock. Throughout the design and construction process, maintaining the health of the trees remained a primary concern. THE design team in Studio Clash developed the layout to avoid significant root systems, while a lightweight structural approach minimizes disturbances to the surrounding soil conditions. Professional horticultural consultation informed the construction process to ensure continued growth of the trees.
At the center of the installation is a spiral structure 7.2 meters in diameter that incorporates a viewing platform positioned 2.3 meters above ground level. The stepped form creates opportunities for seating, gathering and observing the surrounding landscape. At the rear, circular seating elements of different heights form a more sheltered environment that supports informal employment and children’s activities. The project uses stairs and stepped surfaces as the main architectural language, turning traffic into a spatial mechanism of gathering and participation. The installation can function simultaneously as a seating area, a tent, an observation platform and a recreation area, adapting to different scales and types of use throughout the year.
The Circle Pit is made of steel construction that is assembled through standardized connections that support future disassembly and relocation. This modular approach facilitates maintenance while allowing components to be reused once the life cycle of the facility is complete or if the structure is moved to a new location. An outer layer of perforated panels reduces the visual mass of the installation while maintaining openness to the surrounding landscape. Integrated LED lighting located below the handrails illuminates the perforated surfaces after dark, projecting light through the openings and turning the structure into a luminous presence within the valley. The lighting strategy extends the role of the installation beyond daytime use, creating a visual connection between the gathering space and the surrounding landscape.
the installation humbly intervenes, respecting the randomness of nature
the layout avoids tree root systems and uses a lightweight structural support
the concentration facility minimizes interference with the environment
