Architects: UNO Architects China
Area: 638 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Arch-Exist
Bamboo Structural Engineer: Sichuan Daoming Bamboo Industry Development Co., Ltd.
Project Architects: Tao Dong, Chenxi Wang
Project Leader: Rong Lin
Design Team: Qingqing Yang, Kexuan Ning, Jianyuan Wang, Hanlin Li(Intern), Yunchen Lei, Rongpeng He, Yue Zhao, Hui Yuan
Construction Drawing: Kan Wang ( Project Leader), Jingjing Chen, Chaosong Chen, Pengze Qu
Client: Chengdu Cultural Tourism Group
Construction Drawing Design: Si Na Yu Lian Architecture Design Co., Ltd.
City: Chengdu
Country: China
Qionglai Bamboo Pavilion designed by UNO Architects China merges cultural heritage, natural beauty, and community functions in Qionglai, Sichuan Province. Located near the Baimo River Bridge and 100,000 acres of bamboo forest, it reflects Linpan settlement traditions and the rolling curves of bamboo landscapes. Serving as a visitor center, a venue for bamboo craftsmanship workshops, and a village hub for activities like dancing, it features two interlocking roofs welcoming visitors and enclosing a courtyard used for exhibitions or gatherings. Built with locally sourced materials, bamboo is integrated as a secondary structure, blending with glass reflections to evoke walking through a bamboo forest. The pavilion preserves cultural heritage and fosters community connections.
The Qionglai Bamboo Pavilion is situated in a small traditional rural community at the northern end of the Baimo River Bridge, adjacent to over 100,000 acres of bamboo forest. For centuries, Linpan settlements have been characteristic rural communities in western Sichuan, known for their organic integration of woods, bamboo groves, fields, houses, and water. These settlements reflect the harmonious relationship between the land and its people. This connection is aptly captured in the words of the renowned Song Dynasty poet Su Shi, who said, “Better having no meat in eating, than having no bamboo in living.”
In traditional Chinese culture, bamboo is regarded as a symbol of Oriental beauty. The beauty of bamboo forests often evokes the image of a serene path winding deep into the forest, with sunlight filtering through the trees. From another perspective, endless bamboo forests appear to flow along the gentle contours of the landscape, resembling rolling waves in the sea. The design of the pavilion seeks to capture this moment, highlighting the elegant curves shaped by nature and expressing the various layers of the surrounding bamboo forest.
The Bamboo Pavilion embodies three distinct identities. First, it serves as a visitor center for the Bamboo Forest Scenic Area, offering quick facts and exhibitions about the region’s stunning natural beauty. Second, it functions as a venue for intangible cultural heritage workshops, showcasing traditional bamboo craftsmanship passed down through generations. Lastly, it acts as a village center for local residents, facilitating various activities such as relaxing, dancing, and public gatherings.
The building is nestled between the river, the bridge, and a local village. Two roofs rise gently from the landscape—one oriented toward the village entrance to welcome visitors from around the world, and the other facing the bamboo forest, marking the start of a new journey. These interlocking roofs form a public courtyard that can easily be transformed into an outdoor exhibition space when required. However, even before exhibitions take place, the courtyard has already become a popular gathering spot for locals, often used as a dance floor.
All the interior construction materials and products for the pavilion were sourced from neighboring communities. Since the size of the local bamboo made it unsuitable for the main structure, a design pattern resembling backyard bamboo groves was created and used as a secondary structure. This pattern, combined with reflections on the glass facade, evokes a seamless sensation of continually walking through a bamboo forest.
The bamboo pavilion is envisioned as more than a showcase of natural and architectural beauty; it is designed to preserve collective memories and cultural heritage. Most importantly, it aims to welcome visitors from around the world while fostering a meaningful connection with local residents. Through its central courtyard and expansive shaded roofs, the pavilion creates a space that brings people together.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: South Gate, Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area, Qionglai City, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
