Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center / MUDA-Architects

Architects: MUDA-Architects
Area: 3022 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Arch-Exist, Dong Image
Lead Architects: Lu Yun
Design Team: Li Aidong, He Fan, Li Hao, Rong Dian, Fu Yao
Building Construction Design: Chendu Yuzhan Architectural Design Co.
Building Construction Drawing Design Team: Yu Fan, Jia Zihang, Zhang Yuanyuan
Structural Design Consultant: Yuki. Law
Client: Chengdu Long Ke Development Group
City: Chengdu
Country: China

Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center, designed by MUDA-Architects in Chengdu’s Wenjiang District, integrates commerce, ecology, and leisure. Inspired by river textures, the design features fluid curves, a white metallic roof, and transparent glass facades that blend with the wetland landscape. Modular layouts, interconnected pathways, and a walkable rooftop enhance accessibility and engagement with nature. A double-helix observation tower offers panoramic views of the wetland and distant mountains. Sustainability is prioritized through prefabricated steel construction and durable materials like antiseptic wood and metal panels. The project exemplifies MUDA-Architects’ commitment to ecological design, merging cultural heritage with contemporary architecture to create a dynamic public space.

Lujiatan wetland park commercial service center / muda-architects

Project Context
FUDAO–Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center, designed by MUDA-Architects, is located in Wenjiang District, Chengdu. As the cradle of the ancient Shu-Yufu dynasty, Wenjiang has a rich historical legacy. Formerly known as the “City of Willows,” its strategic location and abundant natural resources have long made it a meeting point for culture and nature.

Surrounded by the lush greenery and tranquil waters of Lujiatan Wetland Park, the site is embraced by the Jinma and Minjiang Rivers, with meandering greenways shaping a scenic ecological heartland. In recent years, the park’s natural beauty and convenient location have made it a popular weekend destination in Chengdu. This project aims to leverage the park’s ecological assets and Wenjiang’s cultural heritage by creating a multifunctional space that blends commerce, ecology, and leisure. The design brings new vitality to the city while offering visitors an immersive experience where nature and modernity coexist in harmony.

Architectural Expression of River Beach Texture
Rivers, as the cradle of human civilization, embody the passage of time and the evolution of nature. The Jinma River, a key flood control channel of Dujiangyan City and a major tributary of the Minjiang River, represents the deep connection between humanity and the environment. Inspired by the river’s geographical context, MUDA-Architects conducted a detailed analysis and abstracted its natural rhythms into fluid, flowing architectural forms. Using a contemporary design language, the architecture not only respects the site’s ecological integrity but also highlights the unique cultural identity of Wenjiang.

Blend of Modernity and Local Identity
The project fosters a dialogue between nature and modern design, steering away from simplistic symbolism or direct replication of traditional architecture. By abstracting natural motifs, the design reinterprets the site’s historical narrative within a contemporary framework. Striking a balance between lightness and ecological integrity, the building seamlessly integrates with the wetland landscape, establishing itself as a distinctive architectural landmark for the region.

Harmony with Nature
Inspired by the spatial archetype of the “pavilion” in traditional Chinese gardens, the design reinterprets the relationship between “roof” and “column” using modern techniques, resulting in a lightweight and transparent architectural form. Fluid curves, drawn from riverside textures, shape the structure, while the horizontal roof—clad in white metallic panels—along with transparent glass facades, creates the impression of “floating on water,” seamlessly integrating with the wetland’s natural surroundings.

An Enhanced Visitor Experience
Departing from conventional “roadside shop” layouts, the project employs a modular approach, deconstructing and reorganizing spatial elements to break fixed boundaries. A streamlined design interconnects functional zones, encouraging visitors to explore the space freely. Fluid pathways enhance accessibility and create an engaging, participatory experience within the site.

Multilayered Public Spaces
Optimizing spatial potential, the design features a walkable rooftop that seamlessly connects to a ground-level wooden platform, strengthening the bond between the site and the wetland park. One side extends toward the water, forming a cantilevered hydrophilic platform that allows visitors to engage closely with nature, while the other links to the Jinma River greenway. The platform is paved with anti-corrosion wood, enhancing its durability and fostering a visual and tactile connection with the surrounding environment.

Observation Tower: Broadening Horizons
Two parallel circulation lines at the front and rear of the building optimize the original path layout, enhancing the site’s spatial rhythm through the sequential arrangement of functional volumes. The commercial areas along these paths are unified by the horizontal continuity of the roof, while the double-helix observation tower, strategically placed at the golden ratio point, serves as the focal point of the entire architectural complex.

The observation tower features a gently spiraling double-helix staircase, guiding visitors upward from its base. As they ascend, they experience dynamic views of the wetland landscape from varying perspectives. At the top, the tower provides a 360° panoramic vantage point, overlooking Longmen Mountain, the wetland, and distant snow-capped peaks, creating a uniquely immersive experience.

Sustainability Rooted in Local Practice
The project prioritizes ecological integrity, ensuring that all design strategies respect the original environment. The site was carefully selected to avoid impacting sensitive wetland vegetation and water systems. To minimize environmental disruption, a prefabricated steel structure was used during construction, reducing the need for heavy on-site equipment and preserving the surrounding ecosystem.

The design achieves a thoughtful balance between form and function, with its lightweight structure and transparent glass facades maximizing natural light while seamlessly integrating the wetland landscape into the interior. Materials such as antiseptic wood and white metal steel plates further strengthen the connection between architecture and nature, enhancing the site’s harmony with its surroundings.

Reflections and Vision for the Future
“FUDAO” – Lujiatan Wetland Park Commercial Service Center reflects MUDA-Architects’ dedication to ecological design, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. By merging local culture with contemporary architecture, the project establishes a multifunctional public space with both ecological and functional value, providing Chengdu residents with a new lifestyle opportunity while setting a benchmark for integrating nature and urban development in Wenjiang.

Looking ahead, MUDA-Architects remains committed to ecological priorities, continuing to explore new architectural dimensions that intertwine with nature. By interpreting cultural memory through architectural language, the firm aims to contribute to sustainable urban development and infuse vitality into the city.