Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

These Eclectic Pods Nestled in a Chinese Pine Forest Imitate Their Natural Surroundings

These Eclectic Pods Nestled in a Chinese Pine Forest Imitate Their Natural Surroundings

Designed by ZJJZ Atelier, the shingle-clad pods-known as The Seeds-provide an off-grid retreat in a lush area in Jiangxi, China.

In southeastern China’s Jiangxi province, the woodland Tree Wow hotel added four unique offerings to its portfolio of short-term holiday rentals. Designed by Shanghai–based firm ZJJZ Atelier, the cluster of ellipsoidal cabins are swathed in wooden shingles and mirrored aluminum tiles as a way to echo their natural setting.



The Seeds are a cluster of four cabins designed by Shanghai-based firm ZJJZ Atelier. The pod-like units are part of the Tree Wow hotel complex, which is known for its whimsical retreats in southeastern China’s rural Jiangxi province.

While the hotel specifically requested for The Seeds to be inspired by nature, they allowed the firm to have creative freedom while designing the shape of the structures. "Instead of creating merely imitative forms, we focused on developing the spatial experience by establishing the relationship between the structures and their environment," explains ZJJZ Atelier.



"Like the roots of a plant, the reflective cladding anchors each cabin to the earth, while the pine shingles allow the structures to blend into the surrounding nature," explains ZJJZ Atelier.

The resulting design of the pod-like cabins differed dramatically from the architects' initial vision. "The structures seemed to rise from another dimension, looking nothing like we had originally planned," says the team at ZJJZ Atelier.



An external staircase provides access to the cabin’s interior, which boasts a similar wood-clad aesthetic.

Each pod is wrapped in pine shingles and features circular openings-windows and doors-that punctuate the wooden facade. Mirrored tiles are also dispersed throughout the rounded exterior and cover the entire underside of each unit. "The aluminum cladding reflects the changing weather and seasons," explains the firm. "The metal surface takes on the luster of red soil in winter and lush greenery in spring and summer. The shiny tiles also reflect mist and sunlight."



The lofted attic space highlights the structure's sweeping curves and various wooden tones.

The Seeds, which are raised above the ground on stilts, are accessible via a wooden staircase on the exterior. Inside each pod, an undulating, wood-lined interior features a bedroom, bathroom, and a cozy attic lounge. Each cabin opens up to a spacious outdoor terrace that overlooks the verdant landscape. Meanwhile, strategically placed oculus windows usher in ample natural light.



A large, circular opening with sliding glass doors leads to the curved terrace on the front of each structure. For one of the terraces, the architects designed a cutout to accommodate a mature tree that continues to grow through the platform.

"Each pod is designed with several circular openings to create sight lines in various directions," says the firm. "For instance, the circular hole on the front of the structure leads to the terrace. A round window on the side of the building faces sparse woods, and a larger window in the attic reveals the sky and the branches of tall trees."



A narrow staircase connects the main floor with the pod’s upper level and intersects the entryway to form another captivating, carved-out space.

This marks the second project designed by ZJJZ Atelier for the Tree Wow hotel-the first of which was The Mushroom guesthouse, completed in 2020. Scroll through to see more images of The Seeds at the Tree Wow hotel in Jiangxi, China.



The upper-level lounge features an oculus window that overlooks the forested landscape.



"The stripes formed by the natural color differentiation of the wood further emphasize the ellipsoidal shape of each structure," notes the firm.



The wooden terraces are supported by pillars that allow the spaces to appear as if they’re "floating on independent foundations," explains ZJJZ Atelier.



A large, circular window in the attic lounge area offers views of the treetops and the sky.



A drawing of the cross section one of The Seeds at the Tree Wow hotel.



The floor plan for one of The Seeds at the Tree Wow hotel in Jiangxi, China.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×