Parallect Design

Yushan Park, located in the heart of Changshu City, is a nationally recognized 5A-level tourist attraction. At the park’s southwest corner lies Yingshan Lake, a crystal-clear mirror embraced by verdant mountains, reflecting the changing skies and clouds through the seasons. Covering an area of 15,000 square meters, Shanghu Lake is not only the soul of the park but also holds half a century of urban memories for the people of Changshu. Along this tranquil yet dynamic lakeside, Changshu Cultural Tourism has introduced the LIM dining brand, transforming existing assets to upgrade the cultural and tourism facilities. This project creatively repurposes abandoned shipping containers to create a landmark space in Yushan Park that harmonizes functionality with scenic beauty.Three containers, once forgotten relics of the park, now stand quietly reborn with humble and poetic grace. They have been transformed into a "third space" that bridges the bustling city life and the serene natural environment.

The Opportunity for Rebirth: A Container for Self-Reflection
The project began with a fresh reconsideration of the city’s idle resources. The original structure consists of three shipping containers. Two of them form the base of the café, serving as an optical and acoustic barrier that allows visitors to sit quietly within the park area. The third container creates an upper-level terrace for the café, offering a place for people to enjoy the view and become part of the landscape.These three staggered containers were originally remnants of the park’s temporary facilities. Their rusted surfaces bear witness to Yushan Park’s transformation—from a closed, ticketed park to an open, urban living room for the city.
During the site survey, the design team keenly sensed the unique character of this area: located on the west bank of Yingshan Lake, it sits just outside the main visual axis of the park’s primary walking route, yet it is one of the best vantage points to enjoy the full panorama of the musical fountain. Here, the lake forms a natural curved bay; shrouded in morning mist, it resembles an ink wash painting, while on clear days, it reflects the silhouette of the Yushan city wall.This paradoxical quality—“hidden within the bustling city, yet embraced by the lake’s serene light”—became the initial source of design inspiration. We aimed to create a space here that serves as a container for self-reflection, offering busy visitors a chance to reconnect with nature.

Vertical Poetics: Creating Freedom Within Constraints
The core challenge of the renovation was how to activate the space within strict boundary constraints. According to Yushan Street’s regulations on building renewal in the historic district, the project was not allowed to extend beyond the original foundation footprint, and any new construction had to use reversible connections. This limitation, however, sparked innovation in the vertical dimension: instead of expanding horizontally, the design extends upward, granting the containers new height and panoramic views.
We therefore introduced three observation towers at the original containers’ corners, creating opportunities for dialogue with nature through the vertical dimension. These towers lift visitors out of the flatness of everyday experience, reestablishing their connection with nature through changes in height. Each tower uniquely interprets the design concept of “dialogue with nature.” These vertical structures not only expand functional use but also create a richly layered spatial experience.
North Tower · Whispering Among the Trees. Nestled at the edge of the woodland, the North Tower offers the highest level of privacy. The two-story space is entirely dedicated to private rooms. Most notably, we preserved two original camellia trees on site, allowing their branches to grow through the middle of the tower. In spring, the crimson blossoms peek indoors through the gaps in the steel structure. The tower’s slatted windows are specially designed at a height that ensures privacy while capturing dynamic views of the outdoor landscape.
South Tower · Lake Light Overture. Facing the musical fountain, the South Tower offers the most expansive views. The second floor features a 270-degree panoramic viewing room, while the third floor is an open observation deck that captures the full panorama of the musical fountain.
East Tower · The Spacetime Corridor. Serving as the circulation hub connecting all levels, the East Tower holds surprises beyond its functionality. A spiraling steel staircase wraps around a preserved hackberry tree, with branches extending through gaps in the platforms, allowing the building to accommodate nature’s presence. Upon reaching the second floor, the observation deck is intentionally tilted 30 degrees eastward, aligning the view to engage in a visual dialogue with the Yushan city wall across the lake.

Rebirth
This cultural tourism facility renovation project is far more than a simple reuse of space; it represents a profound exploration of the symbiosis between the park’s existing assets and the natural landscape. The combination of three black containers and observation towers not only preserves the site’s memory but also creates a new way to engage with Yushan and Yingshan Lake.We believe that good public spaces should be like this—meeting functional needs while inspiring users’ perception and reflection. Through carefully designed vertical circulation and viewing nodes, this project not only adds a unique landmark to Yushan Park but also provides citizens with an urban living room where they can slow down and converse with nature.