Bamboo Bamboo, Canopy And Pavilions / LlLab.

Architects: llLab.
Area: 1900 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: llLab., Arch-Exist
Structural Design: LaLu Partners Structure Consulting
Project Management Team: GCPS Interior Decoration Finishing Ltd, Lihua Mi, Dalin Chai, Hao Zhang, Guoyang Wan
Design Team: Hanxiao Liu, Henry D’Ath, Lexian Hu, Alyssa Tang, Chaoran Fan, Luis Ricardo, David Correa
Project Construction Team: Yinghong Shao, Yanru Dong, Yingming Shao
Client: Beijing Tianchuang Cultural Investment & Development Co.Ltd., Beijing Tianchuang Cultural Investment & Development Co.Ltd.
City: Guilin
Country: China

Bamboo Bamboo, Canopy and Pavilions, designed by llLab. in Yangshuo, Guilin, China, is an architectural intervention within the Impression Sanjie Liu site, seamlessly integrating bamboo structures into the natural landscape. The project introduces two key elements: woven bamboo lanterns, transitioning from small pathway markers to large walk-in enclosures, and a 140-meter-long bamboo canopy, providing shelter while blending with the groves. Handcrafted with fire-bent bamboo and woven strips, the lanterns appear solid by day and diffuse light at night, echoing the karst towers. The canopy, supported by bamboo columns, mimics the organic growth of the surrounding forest, creating an undulating, suspended structure. Sunlight filters through by day, while at night, integrated lighting enhances its theatrical effect. Inspired by the performative essence of Impression Sanjie Liu, the design emphasizes movement and interaction, guiding visitors through a sensory experience before reaching the main stage.

Each phase builds on the last, expanding our understanding of bamboo’s properties and its capacity to transcend geography, scale, and perception. With that said, materiality played a central role in shaping the design by exploring bamboo’s unique properties. Its flexibility and resilience were key in creating an ethereal, flowing landscape that not only speaks to the material’s natural qualities but also embraces sustainability.
Interview with Hanxiao Liu and Luís Ricardo of llLab

Bamboo bamboo, canopy and pavilions / lllab.

The Impression Sanjie Liu in Yangshuo, Guilin is set within one of China’s most dramatic landscapes, where vast greenery fills the spaces between towering karst rock formations. Given the grandeur of the surroundings, any attempt to diminish or compete with the natural scenery would be impractical. With this in mind, the design approach was based on integrating the architecture with the existing environment, allowing the natural elements themselves—particularly bamboo—to define the intervention.

The Impression Sanjie Liu has been well established and is now in its 15th year of operation. The project required an approach where most existing structures remained untouched, shifting the focus toward introducing new interventions that could enhance the pre-existing environment. Currently, large clusters of bamboo dominate the site, forming natural structures of intertwining stalks and leaves. To integrate seamlessly with this setting, the new architecture adopted bamboo as its primary material, reconfiguring it to shape new spaces. Rather than competing with the surroundings, these additions were designed to gently enhance the bamboo groves and hills, maintaining harmony with the natural landscape.

The night show at Impression Sanjie Liu takes place in two main areas at opposite ends of the island site—the entry pagoda, where guests arrive, and the main stage, located along the Li River bank. However, there is little interaction between these two points. To activate this middle ground, two architectural interventions were introduced. The first consists of woven bamboo lantern structures, strategically placed along circulation paths to guide and intrigue visitors. The second is a woven bamboo canopy, integrated within the surrounding groves, offering sheltered walkways that provide protection from frequent rainfall. Both structures rely on bamboo not only as a material but also as a reference to the site’s natural identity, reinforcing its connection to the landscape.

Upon entering the site, small lanterns line the pathway, casting dappled light as subtle visual markers. As visitors progress, these lanterns gradually increase in scale, eventually becoming large enough to walk inside. Their construction remains authentic, consisting of bamboo lengths encased in lashed bamboo on either side. A closer look reveals a sense of random beauty, achievable only through handcrafted techniques. The slightly dark bamboo framing bears the marks of fire-bending, a process used to shape the curved lantern forms. Over this framework, local craftsmen have meticulously woven numerous bamboo strips, forming an organic, unintentional pattern that requires no glue or nails to maintain its structure. This intricate production method highlights the craftsmanship involved, embodying a balance between skill, intuition, and natural beauty.

During the day, the lanterns appear solid, with their yellow-hued shells complementing the surrounding greenery. As night falls, their character transforms, shifting from a rigid form to a porous light diffuser. The lanterns interact with guests through a theatrical play of scale and illumination, subtly enhancing the experience. Nestled beneath the arching bamboo groves, they blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Almost serendipitously, when viewed from a distance, their silhouettes mirror the karst stone towers of the Yangshuo, Guilin landscape, visually linking the architecture to the natural horizon.

Further along the island’s edge, the woven canopy is enveloped by towering bamboo groves. At first glance, it appears to have minimal structural support, relying solely on bamboo columns that rise through circular openings. Hidden within these natural clusters, the columns twist and extend upward, mimicking the unpredictable growth patterns of bamboo as they merge with the structure above. Though visibly supported by a network of interwoven tubes, the canopy seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, appearing as a natural extension of the landscape.

The hand-woven bamboo layer partially obscures the view ahead and behind, creating a sense of depth and intrigue. Extending 140 meters, the woven ceiling forms an inverted landscape, undulating across multiple levels. Its stepped surface, crafted from the same irregular hand-woven bamboo as the lanterns, is executed on a scale so surreal that it appears almost fantastical. The design aims to enchant visitors while maintaining a strong connection to the site’s natural environment, reinforcing its organic integration within the landscape.

During the day, sunlight filters through the woven canopy, casting dappled light patterns onto the ground below. While the canopy provides shade and relief from the sun, an unexpected effect occurs when looking upward—the ceiling appears illuminated, radiating a soft, ambient glow. As night falls, integrated lighting within the structure intensifies, creating a more vivid interplay of light and shadow along the pathway. Silhouettes of guests emerge and disappear as beams of light pass through the woven ceiling, guiding them toward the main stage.

In recognition of the theatrical essence of Impression Sanjie Liu, elements of performance are woven into various aspects of the design. The handwoven bamboo, with its interlacing tension, reflects a sense of craftsmanship and movement. The undulating canopy ceiling, appearing to float between the bamboo columns, evokes a dynamic interplay of form and structure. Even the guest experience, moving from lantern to lantern, follows a carefully choreographed path, creating a narrative of interaction. These subtle design choices cultivate a specific state of mind, preparing visitors for the main performance ahead.