Secret Forest – a pavilion in the forests of South Korea – is enclosing three trees. By mirroring this little piece of the forest a whole new landscape is being created; a forest on its own. 

Located in the Samseon mountain, tree pavilion Secret Forest is designed as a part of the Anyang Public Art Project 7 (APAP7) and was delivered in December 2023. In the pavilion, three trees are being enclosed and looking from the inside of the pavilion to the outside, a new perspective on the landscape has been given, by mirroring this little piece of the forest. Altogether the function of a vantage point has been totally reinvented. 

In our design, the routing forms a transitional zone, prolonging the revelation of the hidden forest within. From the open, continuous woods to the secluded, secret space, the walls create a narrow passage, gently guiding one towards the heart of the secret forest. As one moves outward, the same passage subtly impedes an easy escape. Gradually, the lower exterior unveils the surrounding landscape once more, transforming the forest into an experience itself.

From the entrance, the visitor’s gaze is directed inside or outside, to the scenery. Next, the pavilion challenges the pedestrians to follow the circular path to experience different views. The walls rise and fall and direct the view of the visitor. 

The closer the visitor gets to the central space of the pavilion, the more he or she is being forced to experience the lonely trees that are separated from the forest. By moving outside via the circular pathway the trees are being connected to the ‘real’ forest again. 

Corten steel has been used as main material for its strength and freedom of form, possibility to bend, and for its span distance. Corten gives the pavilion a natural look on the outside, a bit of roughness and a brown orange color that fits the forest well. Inside there is this mirroring world that is enhanced by using a reflecting stainless steel.