Like a river charting its course through unyielding terrain; shaping landscapes, nourishing life and flowing with narratives of resilience; architecture, too, must flow dynamically, adapt instinctively and pursue enduring harmony. This principle is embodied in the work of China and Boston-based MUDA-Architects, who, at the confluence of heritage and ecology, respond to the serene embrace of Wenjiang District’s Jinma River with the Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Centre in Chengdu; a space where architecture floats in tandem with nature. Once touted as the ‘City of Willows’ and the cradle of the ancient Shu-Yufu dynasty, the region reveres the area’s cultural legacy while responding to its ecological design.

The site of the Commercial Service Centre is enveloped by the lush expanses of Lujiatan Wetland Park and carved by the meandering tributary of the Minjiang River. The water system carves winding paths that guide you to the community centre, smoothly blending the wetlands' tranquil expanse with the urban environment's organised layout. The Chinese architects, attuned to the site’s innate contours and distinctive features, have woven a contemporary design landmark that integrates with its congruous surroundings.

Inspired by the river’s undulating rhythm and textures, the Chinese designers abstracted natural motifs into fluid architectural forms. The design concept bypasses traditional symbolism, focusing on a fresh interpretation of the landscape’s inherent qualities. Consequently, a pavilion-like structure emerges with muted, flowing curves reminiscing the textures of the riverbed as a gentle echo of the organic, ever-shifting dialogue between water and land. With a focus on community architecture, MUDA-Architects reimagine the spatial archetype of the traditional Chinese garden pavilion and the relationship between the roof and column in a distinctly modern language.

The service centre departs from the rigidity of traditional ‘roadside shop’ layouts, opting instead for a modular spatial design. As the press release states, the streamlined design interconnects functional zones, inviting visitors to navigate the space with a sense of exploration. Serviceable zones, including commercial areas, resting spaces and public amenities, are deconstructed and unified under a sweeping roofline, inviting visitors to navigate the space inquisitively. Two parallel circulation pathways traverse the front and rear of the public building, seamlessly linking to the Jinma River greenway.

The sequential rhythm of spaces is punctuated by a double-helix observation tower, perched at the roof’s golden ratio point. It serves as both a functional viewing platform and a visual landmark. Visitors ascend through a gently spiralling staircase, exploring the wetland from shifting perspectives until they reach the summit. The experience culminates in breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the wetland’s verdant stretch, framed by the distant snow-capped peaks of Longmen Mountain.

Chosen for its durability and ability to blend with the surroundings, MUDA's community design project features anti-corrosion wood, cladding the ground-level platform to foster a tactile dialogue with the natural environment. On the other hand, the horizontal roof’s pristine white metallic panels, rest delicately atop a transparent glass façade, to create the illusion of a structure ‘floating on water’. The walkable rooftop organically connects with the ground-level timber platform with one edge cantilevered towards the water, offering a hydrophilic deck that invites visitors to linger in quiet communion with the river. Meanwhile, the other edge flows into the Jinma River greenway, reinforcing the centre’s role as a bridge between public architecture and landscape.

Showcasing their commitment to sustainability, MUDA-Architects meticulously considered the wetland’s environmental sensitivity, avoiding disruptions to existing vegetation and water systems. The design team incorporated a prefabricated steel structure to minimise the ecological footprint during construction, thereby reducing the remittance of heavy machinery on-site. Additionally, the transparent façade design entices abundant natural light coalescing the natural and built environments while reducing energy consumption.

As visitors traverse the fluid spaces of Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Centre, ascend its spiralling tower or perch atop the hydrophilic deck, they encounter a gentle yet profound dialogue between humanity and nature. In reinterpreting cultural memory and prioritising ecological stewardship, MUDA-Architects convey in an official statement how they have integrated culture and ecology into a unified narrative, where architecture speaks the language of the land. “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.”

Project Details

Name: Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Centre
Location: Wenjiang, Chengdu, China
Architect: MUDA-Architects
Team: Lu Yun (Lead Architect), Li Aidong, He Fan, Li Hao, Rong Dian, Fu Yao
Client: Chengdu Long Ke Development Group
Construction Design: Chengdu Yuzhan Architectural Design Co.
Structural Design Consultant: Yuki. Law
Building Area: 1440 sqm
Total Building Area (including grey space): 3022 sqm
Year of Completion: 2024