Built in 2019, the Tower for Meditation and Views is a small, off-the-ground structure located within a secluded artist community in Huzhou, Zhejiang, China. Designed by the architecture firm Jumping House Lab, the 12-square-meter tower was conceived as a serene escape from the world, providing artists with a tranquil space for contemplation and observation. The building offers three distinct vistas: a broad view of a paddy field, an upward view of the sky for meditation, and a narrow horizontal view of a yard with pine trees and ponds.

To create these different experiences, the architects designed a 3.2 by 3.8-meter wooden structure that is split by an interior wall, dividing the space into an "inward" half for quiet meditation and an "outward" half for taking in the views. The interior is thus separated into a bright and a shady area, each fostering a different atmosphere. The overall appearance and layout of the tower were dictated by the views it frames.

The project was completed while the surrounding community was still undergoing renovation, with the project being 80% finished. The architects noted that this flaw reflected the distance between the ideal and reality, but also contributed to the tower's status as an absolute spiritual space. The design is simple, elevated, and intended to help visitors reconnect with nature.

Credits

Architects: Jumping House Lab

Photographs: Zhi Xia