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We seek to translate the daily behaviors and symbolic meanings carried by the ferry terminal as a link between ocean and island. Through two barrel shell structures of different sizes, we aim to establish a connection between ocean and island, ships and villages. When facing the sea, these two structures present semi-circular arches, while facing the hills, they appear as triangular double roofs. Additionally, the eastern boundary of the canopy hints at the historical feature of the seawall, which was once a topographic singularity but has now disappeared. This materialization of the concept of "passage" not only reflects the interpretation of the dynamics of arrival and departure from the island but also inspires reflections on belonging and travel, settlement and exploration.
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The Island is located in the southern part of the Zhoushan Islands. With a land area of 17km2, There are around 7,000 residents are permanent. Xiazhi Island derives its name from its unique shrimp-shaped island contour. With numerous bays and capes, abundant fishing resources, it serves as an important passage for ships entering and leaving the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. The island is mountainous. It is home to numerous villages, making it the largest residential community on the island. The northwest coast of the peninsula faces an inland sea dotted with islands, to form a sheltered harbour reminiscent of a fairyland at sea. The Zhapeng Ferry Terminal, is situated at the northernmost protruding topographic singularity of this coastline, adjacent to the Zhapeng Village to the south.
We aimed to implement a coordinated transformation and enhancement of both the ferry terminal and the old power plant, with the goal of not only improving the operational capacity and spatial quality of the ferry terminal but also transforming the old power plant into a marine culture and learning centre. This initiative would create a new type of integrated infrastructure complex with both transportation and communication functions. The transformation plan revolves around the natural scenery of the island, traditional fishing industries, and local folk culture. Its purpose is to protect and develop industries related to marine culture. Additionally, it also aims to encourage young people to return to start business in their hometowns and to bring new vitality to the local community.
In terms of material selection, we intentionally give two different textures to the inner and outer surfaces of the shell. The inner cavity of the shell adopts pure clearwater concrete to echo the inherent beauty of the structure. The outer surface of the shell is covered with sky-blue glazed round bricks, which have a fish-scale-like gloss and symbolize the island's fishing culture. The most critical and challenging aspect of project implementation lies in the concrete pouring process of the barrel shell structure. The construction team employs BIM technology to achieve precise alignment between design and construction. This involves three-dimensional modeling of the shell, analysis of the clear water effect, customization of formwork for irregular shapes, and on-site construction control. Utilizing the digital model, bolt hole distribution and formwork joint placement are controlled, and appropriate implementation strategies are selected. Taking the larger shell structure as an example, the 45-meter-long shell is divided longitudinally into 20 segments and vertically into three sections, with customized formwork designed for the irregular surfaces of both the inner and outer sides of each segment. The formwork consists of a combination of steel grid back ribs and multi-layered membrane boards, with fully customized high-strength irregular steel grid boards providing precise shaping, while the membrane boards serve as the formwork for the clear water concrete surface.
By 2023, the coastal highway "Zhahe High Way" in front of the Terminal had secured the title of the "Top Ten Most Beautiful Rural Roads" in the province, which further accentuates the island's unparalleled glamour, both in natural beauty and cultural richness. Travelling across the mountains and the sea to the Island by ferry is kind of rest of bodies and minds. As the ferry approaching Xiazhi, it gracefully glides past the three islands reminiscent of the legendary "Sanxianshan (Yaochi)" before
Atelier Z+, established in 2002, is a Shanghai based interdisciplinary design team which covers urban design, architecture, interior and landscape. Atelier Z+ is pursuing an open and introspective working method instead of any specific form and style while carrying out tremendously distinguished projects in scale. Atelier Z+ is persistent in treating the specific problems of the different projects as the starting point of work, aiming at integrating various resources, which are relatively isolative or even conflicting in reality, into a highly consistent entirety. We devote ourselves to such kind of architectural practice that bears the making of revealing directly the intrinsic characteristics on the basis of mature deliberation. It shall be a combination of a rational and moderate technical choice on one hand, and a life at ease full of creation and imagination on the other hand.
