steel rings and stepped platforms spiral around trees in landscape gathering installation
FOUR XIANGCHUN TREES ANCHOR A CIRCULAR SPACE FOR GATHERING
Located in a valley in Zibo, Shandong Province, Circle Pit is a site-specific installation by Studio Clash organized around four mature Xiangchun trees (Toona sinensis) growing around a solitary rock. The project draws on the cultural significance of Xiangchun in northern China, where the tree is associated with local identity, seasonal rituals, and collective memory. Through a circular architectural intervention, the installation combines landscape, community use, and environmental preservation within a single spatial framework. The four Xiangchun trees form both the physical and conceptual center of the project. Having grown from wind-dispersed seeds into a cluster surrounding a rock formation, they have become a recognizable element of the local landscape. Studio Clash uses this existing condition as the starting point for the design, treating the trees as living markers of place and continuity.
The name Circle Pit references the circular movement associated with the ‘circle pit’ phenomenon in live music culture, where participants move collectively around a shared center. This notion of circulation, gathering, and collective energy informed the spatial organization of the installation. The project was conceived as an adaptable platform capable of supporting both everyday use and larger communal events.
Prior to the intervention, the site served as an open grassy area frequently used for activities related to a nearby homestay development but lacked a defined gathering structure. Circle Pit introduces a layered system of circular platforms that functions as seating, viewing infrastructure, and event space. The stepped configuration can accommodate audiences during performances while also serving as an informal landscape element for daily use.
all images courtesy of Studio Clash
SPIRALING Stepped PLATFORMS and STEEL handrails form Circle Pit
The installation is composed of overlapping circular geometries arranged around the existing trees and rock. Throughout the design and construction process, preserving the health of the trees remained a primary consideration. The design team at Studio Clash developed the layout to avoid major root systems, while a lightweight structural approach minimizes disturbance to the surrounding ground conditions. Professional horticultural consultation informed the construction process to ensure the continued growth of the trees.
At the center of the installation is a 7.2-meter-diameter spiral structure incorporating a viewing platform positioned 2.3 meters above ground level. The stepped form creates opportunities for sitting, gathering, and observing the surrounding landscape. On the reverse side, circular seating elements of varying heights form a more sheltered environment that supports informal occupation and children’s activities. The project uses stairs and terraced surfaces as its primary architectural language, transforming circulation into a spatial device for gathering and participation. The installation can function simultaneously as seating, stage, observation platform, and recreational space, adapting to different scales and types of use throughout the year.
Circle Pit is constructed from a steel structure assembled through standardized connections that support future disassembly and relocation. This modular approach facilitates maintenance while allowing components to be reused once the installation’s lifecycle is complete or if the structure is transferred to a new site. An outer layer of perforated panels reduces the installation’s visual mass while maintaining openness to the surrounding landscape. Integrated LED lighting positioned beneath the handrails illuminates the perforated surfaces after dark, projecting light through the openings and transforming the structure into a luminous presence within the valley. The lighting strategy extends the installation’s role beyond daytime use, establishing a visual connection between the gathering space and the surrounding landscape.
the installation intervenes humbly, respecting nature’s randomness
the layout avoids the root systems of trees and employs a lightweight structural support
the gathering installation minimizes interference with the surrounding environment
the installation consists of overlapping circles surrounding the central trees and rock
Circle Pit is organized around four mature Xiangchun trees and a solitary rock
the circular seating on the back provides a children’s play nook
overlapping steel rings frame the existing landscape without enclosing it
the space becomes a place for people to gather, take in the views, or function as a platform for performers
stepped platforms function as seating, circulation, and event infrastructure
nighttime lighting creates a lantern-like presence in the valley
project info:
name: Circle Pit
architect: Studio Clash | @studio__clash
lead architects: Cohaul Guohao Chen
design team: Cohaul Guohao Chen, Yuxin Wen, Zuxian Kang
clients: Zibo Bobogu Park Operation and Management Company
location: Zibo, China
area: 50 sqm
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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