Designed by UNO Architects + Lin Rong Studio, SWJTU, The Qionglai Bamboo Pavilion is located in the traditional local community at the north end of the Baimo river bridge and next to over 100,000 acres of bamboo forest. The Linpan settlement in Chengdu Plain has been an organic combination of forests, fields, houses, and water for thousands of years. It is the most typical spatial form of traditional farming communities in western Sichuan, reflecting the harmonious connection between landscape and humankind.
In traditional culture, bamboo symbolizes oriental beauty; it represents integrity, tenacity, humility, and loyalty. When people talk about the charm of bamboo forests, people often think of deep bamboo forests with winding paths leading to isolation.
The design aims to capture the undulating and staggered layers of the bamboo sea in a wider space rather than just being limited to the bamboo structure and the material itself.
The Bamboo Pavilion has three identities. First, it will be a visitor center for Bamboo Forest Scenic Area, where you can quickly learn about the breathtaking natural beauty and exhibitions; second, it will host intangible cultural heritage workshops that showcase local craftsmanship using bamboo materials for generations. Finally, the activity center and village head meeting space for the local villagers facilitate various activities, from chatting and square dancing to public gatherings.
Famous local poet Su Shi from Song Dynasty said: “Better having no meat in eating than having no bamboo in living.”
The building follows the undulations of the bamboo forest and the meandering of the river bank. The roof is lifted from the ground, and the towering spaces at both ends welcome the guests and the returning guests. The two roofs mesh, and the center enclose the courtyard, which can easily be turned into an outdoor exhibition area. But before any exhibition took place, locals already used it as a square dance floor.
All interior building materials and products come from surrounding communities. The bundled bamboo structures rise from the ground, with scattered flowers on the top to support the roof, and large eaves are raised around to form a dialogue with traditional dwellings and bamboo forests.
Bamboo Pavilion is a place to showcase the beauty of nature or architecture and preserve collective memory and cultural heritage. Most importantly, it welcomes tourists from all over the world and connects with residents and culture.
Because local bamboo is too large to be used as the main structure, the studio designed a pattern based on groups of bamboo locals might find in their backyard to use as a secondary structure.
The bamboo pavilion welcomes local people and visitors altogether.
Project Info
Architects: UNO Architects + Lin Rong Studio, SWJTU
area: 638 sqm
Project Year: 2022
Photographer: Arch-exist Photography
Project Architects: Dong Tao, Wang Chenxi
Project leader: Lin Rong
Design Team: Yang Qingqing, Ning Kexuan, Wang Jianguo, Li Hanlin (internship), Lei Yunchen, He Rongpeng, Zhao Yue, Yuan Hui
Construction drawing design: Chengdu Sina Yulian Architectural Design Co., Ltd., Wang Kan (responsible person), Chen Jingjing, Chen Chaosong, Qu Pengze (structure)
Client: Chengdu Cultural Tourism Group
Wood Structure: Sichuan Daoming Bamboo Art Industry Development Co., Ltd.
