A former 1.2 km-long steel trellis, originally laden with wisteria and roses before it fell into despair within the Bogong Island Ecology Park in Wuxi, China, found a new life in Wutopia Lab's intervention that transformed it into a whimsical canopied promenade. Referred to as the Emerald Screen Pergola, the structured landscape infuses its lush setting with ‘magical realism’, an experiential quality of spaces that the Shanghai-based studio aims to achieve in each of its multidisciplinary projects.

Led by chief architect Yu Ting, Wutopia Lab has established a reputation for creating human-centred urban surroundings. The Emerald Screen Pergola, much like their previous works such as the designs that seamlessly integrate into their mystically light Books in Clouds - Duoyun Bookstore in Huangyan and an industrial yard-turned-cultural centre called Klein Blue Hills and White Cliff in Shanghai’s EKA Park, appeal as sculptural edifices that resonate far beyond their physical dimension.

With the landscape project, the studio sought to give the classic flower trellis—a key component of classical Chinese gardens—a modern spin. Conventionally constructed of bamboo or wood that gives shape to roofless corridors, pavilions and walls, the trellises evoke not only a visual delight in their use of climbing flowering plants to cover the skeletal surfaces, they are also considered a cultural symbol found in ancient Chinese paintings, depicting a rich tapestry of flower-related activities.

Along the 1.2-kilometre steel trellis, Wutopia Lab created a variety of wall and roof configurations using the feather-like shape of leaves as a template. The resulting structures, as per the studio, "open, close, stand alone, overlap and even disappear," transforming the trellis corridor's previously monotonous design and creating an experience that is constantly dynamic.

The heart of the project is the grand, pantheon-like pavilion that serves as the entrance to the park. The structure is composed of arched panels arranged symmetrically and with varying heights, akin to flower petals, that exude an aura reminiscent of an ancient temple. The pavilion presents an inviting gateway to the sinuous walkway, welcoming visitors in to immerse themselves in tranquil greens, driving them to pause and contemplate.

Wutopia Lab opted for semi-transparent leaf-like panels, constructed out of steel mesh and tube frames painted in white. The materials were chosen for their ability to evoke a "mist-like" appearance.

The white Emerald Screen Pergola with the flower pavilion embodies the first stage of the project. Plants will climb the walkway in the next leg to turn it into a green structure while the third stage is anticipated to see a series of colour-changing ivy, jasmine, roses, honeysuckle and retained wisteria blooming. Seeming as though it is prepared to leap in its environment, this wandering structure embodies Wutopia Lab's dedication to creatively bringing classic designs that breathe new life into the urban fabric.

By incorporating natural elements and fostering a sense of community, Wutopia Lab has created a space that is both inviting and functional. The Emerald Screen Pergola is more than just a striking architectural feature; it is a living, evolving artwork that celebrates the ephemeral beauty of nature. As the climbing plants continue to grow and flourish, the pergola will undoubtedly become an even more integral part of the urban landscape.

(Text by Navya Khurania, intern at STIR)