Stepping inside the Nanbo Bay Reception Center, located in the Chinese city of Shenzhen Shi, feels like entering an indoor rainforest. The entire property is designed as an urban forest garden, complete with bamboo plants, banyan trees, plantains, shrubs and other greenery.
The project was completed in 2020 by Shenzhen-based Sunson Design, gaining inspiration from the natural landscape of China’s forested areas. The use of wood, stone and, of course, plants throughout the vast property brings the beauty of nature indoors.
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The lobby, located at the entrance of the building, is known as the “hall of time,” according to the designers. It provides those who enter with a first impression of a natural, yet mysterious, vibe (similar to that of entering an isolated nature park).
The reception hall is modeled after a miniature city rainforest, with not only living native trees, but also wooden negotiation tables and chairs to match the aesthetic. Towards the ceiling, cut pine and cypress trees are suspended to give the space a more finished look, giving off the sensation of being surrounded in forest. The theme is continued down the corridor and into an atrium covered in a large glass dome.
Going further, a room fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass acts as a library or reading room (modeled after the Yinchuan City Water Tunnel Ruin dating back 30,000 years ago), and the dining area is complemented by bright colored wallpaper, bamboo screens and wooden window lattices. There is also a landscaped courtyard with additional seating areas in the center of the building.
A substantial indoor swimming pool maintains a more modern look with outer glass walls to create the visual illusion of zero gravity, while massive windows help bring in natural light and blend the interior space with the outside.
Images via Sunson Design
Written by Katherine Gallagher
