The Qiseshan Quarry Garden and Visitor Centre are located in a redundant quarry that ceased operations in 2017. As a result of intensive mining, the soil and vegetation in this area have been severely damaged over the years. With the environmental protection initiatives promoted by the local government and supported through investment from private capital, the subsequent ecological restoration has been ongoing for several years.
As a result, the previously damaged land is now covered with greeneries, with a new ecological public garden to open in 2020.
Qiseshan Quarry Garden Visitor Centre’s Concept:
In order to make reference to the site’s previous incarnation, the design concept of the Visitor Centre takes the meaning of a fissure of the earth and uses a sharp and powerful architectural language to remind people of the ecological damage that has happened here.
photography by© Weiqi Jin
As The ‘fissure’ starts from the north, the building rises from the ground and ascends to the second floor as the form extends southwards. With the sense that the building is embedded into the landscape.
The continuous roofline blurs the boundary between the ground and the floors, creating a sense of dynamic movement as it rises into the air at the southern point.
photography by© Weiqi Jin
Project Info:
Architects: UUA (United Units Architects)
Location: QINGDAO, CHINA
Photography by : Weiqi Jin
Project Name: Qiseshan Quarry Garden Visitor Centre
Area: 1700 m²
Year: 2019
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.