London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 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

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×