Xuan Pavilion - Bird Observation Platform 玄亭 - 观鸟平台
Nanjing has always been a city where mountains, waters, and forests coexist, blending prosperity with the charm of nature. The Water-view Pavilion, located in the Yuhuatai Three Bridges Wetland Park, is meant to embody the simple joy of being in nature for those who pass by. So, how can we design a pavilion that stands in the wetland in a simple and pure way, allowing people to experience the pleasure of walking through the woods, playing by the water, and enjoying views of the Yangtze River in the distance?
"Book of Changes" records that the sky is Xuan and the earth is yellow. Xuan Pavilion pointed to the quiet and distant sky with the plank road extending upwards from the earth. Xuan is also an ancient word for hanging, which means that the extremely light structure supports the plank stairs and respects the original appearance of the site with a small intervention.
南京，素来是山水城林之地，有繁华富庶，也有山林野趣。位于雨花台三桥湿地公园内的水畔望亭，承载的应该是往来者质朴的在野之乐。那么，如何设计一座望亭，可以以简单、纯粹的方式伫立于湿地之上，让人们体验游走于林木之中，近可戏水远可观长江的乐趣呢？
玄亭的设计理念源于对场地自然的尊重。《易经》有云，天玄而地黄。玄亭以大地延申而上的折道指向静谧幽远的天空。玄亦为悬之古字，寓意建筑以轻盈的结构承托起栈道，以微小的介入尊重场地的原貌。
Roam in Nature 游走于自然
Looking at the Xuan Pavilion, the winding trails are reflected on the water, connecting the sky and the earth into one. You can enter the scenic spot at the entrance pavilion when you walk on the floating road. The slender wooden pillars and diagonal braces form the overall structure, and when you climb up, it is like traveling through the forests with trunks. The terraces on both sides of the north and south, which are connected by folding stairs, overlook the lakeside and the Yangtze River in the distance. The observation station at the highest point, through the rising roof, looks into the higher heaven and earth, watching the clouds and rains dissipate, and the birds fIy. 于水畔远望玄亭，曲折的步道映于水面，将天空与大地连为一体。纤细的木柱与斜撑拉结起整体结构，登临而上，如穿梭于山野丛林之中。折道相接的南北双侧露台， 可俯瞰湖畔，也可远望长江。而最高处的观测站，通过上扬的屋顶，望向更高远的天地之中，看云消雨散， 群鸟飞扬。
Drawings 图纸
Observation Decks 观鸟平台
The Xuan Pavilion stands at a height of 14.2 meters, offering three distinct outdoor observation decks connected by branching wooden staircases, allowing visitors to stroll, pause, appreciate, and gaze in various directions. 玄亭总高14.2m，提供了三种不同高度的室外观景台，以分叉的木质楼梯连接不同方向的露台，做到可游，可停，可赏，可望。
Indoor Bird Observatory 室内观鸟空间
The bird observatory room is at the very top of the building, pointing towards the Yangtze River, where people can observe migratory birds. The roof is raised forward, bringing the view forward, and the wooden grilles on both sides are also dense to sparse, creating a feeling of gradual thinning of the view. 鸟类观察室位于建筑的最顶部，面向长江，供人们观察候鸟。屋顶向前翘起，延伸视野，而两侧的木质格栅则由密到疏，营造出视野逐渐变得开阔的感觉。
Lightweight Structure 轻质结构
The structure of the Xuanting Pavilion consists of a combination of concrete foundation and a glued laminated timber frame fixed with steel nodes. It is constructed using a modular unit system of 3x3 meters, facilitating prefabrication to minimize on-site construction pollution. The timber structure transitions from a simple beam-column system to a double-column structure, with the columns between units connected by framework beams. This design enhances the building's sense of lightness visually and facilitates the installation of stairs and diagonal bracing components. At the base, the connection of concrete and wooden columns through steel nodes elevates the wooden columns from the ground, reducing the impact of wetland moisture on the strength of the timber structure. The diagonal beams at the staircase locations are fixed by vertical columns, further reinforcing the overall structure. The junctions of beams and columns on the terraces are strengthened through steel nodes. 玄亭的结构由混凝土基础与胶合层压木框架通过钢节点连接组成，采用3x3米的模块化单元系统进行构建，便于预制以减少现场施工污染。木结构由简单的梁柱系统过渡为双柱结构，单元之间的柱子通过框架梁连接。这种设计在视觉上增强了建筑的轻盈感，同时便于楼梯和斜撑组件的安装。 在基础部分，混凝土与木柱通过钢节点连接，将木柱抬离地面，减少湿地湿气对木结构强度的影响。楼梯位置的斜梁通过垂直柱子固定，进一步增强了整体结构的稳定性。露台上的梁柱连接处通过钢节点加固，确保了结构的稳固性。
