Emerald Screen Pergola: Wutopia Lab’s Dragon-Like Architectural Installation in Wuxi, China

In March 2024, Wutopia Lab unveiled their striking Emerald Screen Pergola at Bogong Island Ecology Park in Wuxi, China, a project that reimagines classical Chinese garden architecture with a contemporary, sculptural twist. Curated by 韩双羽 (HAN Shuangyu), this temporary installation spans 925 m² and transforms the park’s landscape through a dynamic interplay of structure, light, and greenery.

Reinterpreting Classical Garden Architecture

The Emerald Screen Pergola draws inspiration from traditional Chinese gardens, where roofless corridors, pavilions, and walls, typically crafted from bamboo or wood, serve as frameworks for climbing plants. Historically, these pergolas not only defined visual axes but also facilitated cultural and social activities around flowers and gardens. While most classical structures have not survived intact, Wutopia Lab has reinterpreted these forms in a modern context, preserving the essence of heritage while introducing innovative materiality and dynamic spatial experiences.

A Dragon-Like Corridor of Light and Nature

Originally, Bogong Island featured a 1.2-kilometer steel trellis draped in wisteria and roses, which had deteriorated over time. Wutopia Lab approached the reconstruction with a bold vision: using the delicate, feather-like shape of leaves as a prototype, they created a series of modular wall and roof structures along the corridor. These elements: some opening, some overlapping, others standing alone or fading, introduce a rhythmic dynamism reminiscent of a Dragon Dance, giving the pergola its evocative name: “A wandering dragon-like Emerald Screen Pergola.”

The corridor’s framework is constructed from round steel, covered with white-painted steel mesh designed to support climbing plants. Even before the plants ascend, the semi-transparent structure produces a mist-like effect, creating an ethereal experience for visitors.

The Flower Pavilion: A Semi-Transparent Entrance

At the entrance of the corridor and the park, Wutopia Lab designed a flower pavilion that serves as both a gateway and a central architectural statement. Layered with the same feather-inspired steel meshes, this roofless structure evokes a modern Pantheon, blending openness with sculptural form. Its completion marked the grand reopening of Bogong Island Ecology Park, signaling the first stage of a phased transformation.

A Living, Evolving Pergola

The project unfolds in three stages:

1. Stage One – Installation of the white, semi-transparent Emerald Screen Pergola and the flower pavilion, creating immediate visual impact.
2. Stage Two – Plants begin climbing the steel mesh corridor, gradually transforming the structure into a lush green pathway.
3. Stage Three – Blooming flowers, including ivy, jasmine, roses, honeysuckle, and retained wisteria, bring color, vibrancy, and seasonal variation, animating the dragon-like form as it weaves through the park.

This evolving approach highlights Wutopia Lab’s commitment to blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary design techniques, creating a structure that feels alive, immersive, and deeply connected to its natural surroundings.

Modern Innovation Meets Cultural Heritage

The Emerald Screen Pergola exemplifies a thoughtful balance between historical inspiration and contemporary experimentation. By using modern materials such as steel mesh while retaining classical design references, Wutopia Lab has created an installation that is not only visually captivating but also culturally resonant. This project demonstrates how temporary installations can honor heritage while redefining how visitors experience gardens in the 21st century.

All photographs are works of  CreatAR lmages