Chinese studio Muda Architects has added a series of glazed commercial spaces topped with snaking rooftop walkways to the Lujiatan Wetland Park in Chengdu.
Located in the city’s Wenjiang district, the Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center also features a double-helix observation tower that overlooks the surrounding natural landscape.
Muda Architects‘ took cues from the meandering shapes of the nearby Jinma and Minjiang Rivers when designing the building’s sinuous white-steel roof, on which visitors can walk.
The design is intended to blend into the surrounding landscape while celebrating the local nature and culture.
“Fluid curves inspired by riverside textures define the structure, while the horizontal roof and transparent glass facades yield an impression of ‘floating on water’, blending effortlessly into the wetland’s natural surroundings,” said Muda Architects.
“This project seeks to harness the park’s natural gifts and Wenjiang’s cultural characteristics,” the studio continued.
“Within a contemporary design language, the architecture not only respects the ecological essence of the site but also accentuates the distinctive charm of Wenjiang’s local culture.”
Slim columns support two curving rooftops. One shelters a glazed form containing multiple retail units and the other unites the observation tower with three additional glazed volumes containing further retail space, storage and toilet facilities.
The commercial centre’s centrepiece is the double-helix staircase, which spirals from the ground floor and punctures through the metal roof to rise to a viewpoint looking out to the distant Longmen Mountain.
“The commercial areas along the circulation lines are unified through the horizontal connection of the building’s roof, while the double-helix observation tower, positioned at the golden ratio point in the sequence, becomes the focus of the entire architectural complex,” said Muda Architects.
“Balancing lightness and ecological integrity, the building integrates seamlessly with the surrounding wetland landscape, establishing a contemporary architectural landmark for the region.”
Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center is built on a wooden base that extends to form curving paths and bridges leading to other areas of the park. In front of the observation tower, a walkway extends over the river to form a cantilevered waterfront platform.
Muda Architects designed these pathways and the accessible rooftop to encourage visitors to explore and immerse themselves in the landscape.
“The wooden platform serves as a bond between the site and the wetland park,” said Muda Architects.
“One side meanders towards the water, creating a cantilevered hydrophilic platform that offers visitors a close-up opportunity to connect with nature; the other side connects to the Jinma River greenway.”
According to Muda Architects, by combining retail and public space in the Lujiatan Wetland Park, the centre is hoped to foster a connection between local people and nature.
“Merging local culture with modern architectural language, the project creates a multifunctional public space with ecological significance and functional value, offering Chengdu residents a new lifestyle possibility while setting a benchmark for the integration of nature and urban development in Wenjiang,” said the studio.
Muda Architects was founded in Chengdu in 2015. Other projects by the studio featured on Dezeen include a museum in Pengzhou informed by the shape of the yin-yang symbol and a lakeside bookshop in Chengdu with a swooping roof.
The photography is by Arch Exist unless stated otherwise.
