Shannan Beehive Observation Booth / OMNO Laboratory
- region:
50 square meters -
year:
2023
Description provided by the project team. The Beehive Observation Project is located in the middle of the mountains in Jiba Town, Shannan City, on the Roof of the World in Tibet. Originally an orchard planted by Tibetan ancestors in Jeba town 60 years ago, it has now been turned into a foraging area for bees.
Our brief was to design a space to showcase the life of bees and offer visitors a hands-on honey collecting experience. Given the fragile environment of the high plateau, we prioritized sustainability and local materials in selecting structures and materials to minimize the impact on the natural terrain. Due to the intense ultraviolet radiation and low rainfall at higher elevations, we chose corrosion-resistant black charred wood as the main construction material. The use of black was intended to integrate the structure into the surrounding forest while at the same time forming a distinctive black symbol.
In terms of the design concept, we were inspired by the traditional architecture of Tibetan dwellings, using light and thin wooden components to mimic the sturdiness of brick and stone walls. The exterior design reflects inclined forms that follow the tradition of architecture. The sloping outer panels, shaped like fish scales, create openings for the bees to move freely. This building logic with beautiful wooden elements was intended to evoke the solidity of traditional Tibetan architecture when visitors viewed the beehive observation project.
Inside, our goal was to create a contrasting environment, at once transparent and closed, reminiscent of a religious sanctuary for bees. In contrast to the external symmetry, the interior design and function showed deliberate asymmetry. We wanted observers to perceive symmetry from a distance, and to detect internal asymmetry upon entry. For the flooring, we chose porous red brick as a material that harmonizes with the primitive architecture of the countryside, and the combination of red and black draws attention to the entrance.
In the roof design, we incorporated elements of traditional Tibetan architecture, specifically the Han-Tibetan style cornice structure. The bare aluminum panels not only mimic traditional roof materials, but also improve the diffusion of sunlight through the curved shapes, ensuring more balanced natural lighting indoors. The construction process of this project dispensed with modern construction equipment and involved villagers and local carpenters who, over the course of a week, assembled the structure from prefabricated materials, in a collaborative effort between architects, local villagers and local carpenters.
“Beeraholic. Friend of animals everywhere. Evil web scholar. Zombie maven.”
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