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XIAMEN OBSERVATION TOWERS

As part of Xiamen’s ongoing efforts to create a healthier, more walkable, and playful city, I had to opportinity to design two observation towers situated on a hillside in the Haicang district. The towers form part of a wider initiative to establish a network of walking trails with cafés and resting points, offering residents and visitors new ways to experience the city and its landscape.

The first tower, located in a pine forest, draws inspiration from the natural form of a pinecone. Its intricate system of suspension cables creates both structural lightness and an organic architectural expression, blending with the forest setting.

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The second tower takes a more straightforward approach: a simple steel platform elevated to provide sweeping views over Xiamen. Its clarity of form contrasts the complexity of the pinecone-inspired structure, creating a dialogue between the two designs. Both towers are constructed in steel, ensuring durability while maintaining an elegant, contemporary aesthetic. Together, they contribute to Xiamen’s ambition of combining health, accessibility, and urban playfulness with architectural identity.

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_{Typology: Public Infrastructure
Client: Xiamen Municipality
Program: Two steel lookout towers as part of an urban hiking trail network with recreational facilities
Location: Haicang District, Xiamen, China
Status: Ongoing}