White feathers fluttering in the sea breeze
On the shoreline of Chaishan Island in China, the pavilion stands adorned with feather-like blades that flutter in the sea breeze. Once a thriving cargo pier, this location has transformed into a small fishing village with fewer than 100 elderly residents, following the urbanization and industrialization of the mainland. To revitalize the area, the Zhoushan Government launched the “Hello, Island” project.
Selected through a design competition, the pavilion reimagines the traditional custom of village entrance trees where locals would gather beneath for social interaction. Made of glass fiber reinforced plastic(GFRP), the blades sway gently in a breeze and pivot dynamically in strong winds. These movements reflect the rhythm of the island, symbolizing both fragility and resilience. The blades’ structure is crafted from galvanized steel, while recycled wood from decommissioned fishing boats is used for the deck, embodying the island’s history and sense of place.
Precisely engineered counterweights and wind-responsive bearings ensure the blades sway smoothly, balancing poetic motion with structural stability. Alongside the restored pier, the pavilion serves as a terminus for art and culture, enduring the elements as a new space for gathering and contemplation. Just as village entrances were traditional places of arrival and community, the pier is reborn as a new gathering point at the meeting of land and sea.
For the island’s elderly residents, the pavilion serves as a bridge across time. Here, they watch ferries drift on the horizon, reminiscing about the island‘s days as a bustling harbor. For visitors, it offers a meditative retreat, inviting reflection on the impermanence of life and the creative power of art.
By day, sunlight filters through the blades, creating patterns in constant motion. By night, the structure fades into silhouette, its presence hinted at by soft moonlight and the sound of waves breaking. The interplay of wind and sea creates movements akin to an impromptu poem, brief yet profound. These ephemeral verses narrate the village’s stories, foster a sense of community, and reshape the identity of the island, breathing new life into it.
Project: Seaside Pavilion on Chai Shan Island, Zhoushan / Location: Chai Shan Island, Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China / Architecture firm: GN Architects / Principal architect: Shen Lijiang / Design team: Shen Lijiang, Liu Tong, Cui Hengxuan, Ding Hao, Zheng Zhen / Construction: Baoding Shenjiang Sculpture Art Manufacturing Co., Ltd. / Materials: Corrosion-Resistant Steel,Recycled Timber,Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer,Stainless Steel Counterweights, Marine-Grade Concrete,Titanium Alloy Anchors,ETFE Membra ne Canopies,Anti-Slip Ceramic Tiles,Solar-Integrated LED Lighting,Bio-Based Sealants / Budget: RMB 1.5m / Typology: Art Installation / Client: Baisha Island Management Committee, Putuo District, Zhoushan City / Built area: 75m² / Site area: 90m² / Design: 2023.7 / Completion: 2024.8 / Photograph: ©Liang Wenjun (courtesy of the architect), ©Tian Fangfang (courtesy of the architect), ©Zhang Yong (courtesy of the architect), ©Jiang Meng (courtesy of the architect), ©GN Architects
