HELLO Gas Pavilion | Situate Architecture

HELLO Gas Pavilion-Another Look for Gas Station

HELLO gas pavilion, a brand-new gas station built by HELLO New Energy Technology Co., Ltd, locates in Dongying, the prominent petroleum industry hub in China. Since Dongying is the birthplace of “HELLO” brand, the client desires a flagship look that distinguishes it from their standard image.

Evolution of Gas Station

A century ago, gas station existed as loose pumps at street side for fueling up. With the boosting of multi-services for the customers, drive-in gas stations covered by big canopies sprang up with full varieties in architectural forms. Later as the development of chain retailing, most gas stations were standardized into prefabricated space frame structure, leading to “an architectural uniform” of gas station. In this project, we try to explore another look for gas station other than those homogeneous ones.

Stripe Texture & Continuous Barrel Vault

HELLO is sited in a paddy field north to the main road. Due to high salinity and alkali of the soil in Dongyi, water belts are embedded in between the ridges to improve the soil quality. The alternating arrangement of the ridges and water belts forms a stripe texture in the paddy field. Echoing this unique texture of site, we have employed a continuous barrel vault roof with five standard semicircle arches, further being reminiscent of the pipelines and oil tankers that are the city’s industrial heritage.The number and length of barrel vaults can be varied and adaptable to different sites. This modular roof system achieves practical replication, by which we balance efficiency and uniqueness.

Size & Space -A Perspective Perception

The roof is a row of five continuous barrel vaults. It appears as a curve from the front and a long rectangular block from the side. When vehicles are coming from main road to HELLO at a distance, drivers primarily see the side view of the gas station, an eye-catching suspended massive volume. Driving close to the station, people can see the front view of the roof, a slender curve diminishing the sense of volume, which is a playful visual perspective perception introducing an intriguing experience of size and space.

Space with Flow

The continuous barrel vaults sculpt undulating spaces underneath. Driving through the forecourt laterally, people feel the heights of the roof vary up and down in rhythm, which creates a visual experience of dynamic flow.

Gas Station + Scenic Café

Standard HELLO station contains three basic functions: refueling, kiosk and car wash. In addition, we incorporate a spatial café and lounge on the second floor. Sitting in the transparent space overlooking the field, people feel an intimate connection to nature, enjoying the picturesque and peaceful surroundings. Alternatively, it can be used as conference room or exhibition hall for HELLO group with flexibility.

Eventually we make the station an ideal destination for refueling, relaxing, and gathering.

Project: HELLO Gas Pavilion

Location: Hekou District, Dongying, Shandong Province, China

Client: HELLO New Energy Technology Co., Ltd

Architect: SITUATE Architecture

Design Team: ZHANG Minghui, ZHANG Zhen, REN Mingmin

Structure Design: SHI Wei, LIU Qiliang

Specialized Design: Harbin Tianyuan Petrochemical Engineering Design Co., Ltd

Structure: Concrete Frame Structure

Materials: Concrete, Stone Coating, Glass Curtain Wall, Granite

Area: 880㎡

Design Period: 07/2021-03/2022

Construction Period: 03/2022-10/2022

Photograph: DU Chen