Pujiang Platform By MVRDV: A Sustainable Viewpoint Merging Architecture and Landscape in China

Designed by MVRDV, the Pujiang Platform is a landmark viewpoint and event pavilion located in the hills near Pujiang, southwest of Chengdu, China. Completed in 2024, this compact yet powerful structure exemplifies sustainable architecture, landscape integration, and contemporary timber construction, while offering breathtaking panoramic views of the growing town of Pujiang and the Qionglai Mountain range.

Architecture Shaped by the Landscape

The project replaces an existing, flattened viewing point with a carefully considered architectural intervention that restores the original topography. MVRDV’s response is an arched, earth-covered timber pavilion that visually echoes the hill that once stood on the site. Covered with soil and native vegetation, the building appears as a continuation of the landscape rather than an intrusion, reinforcing the idea of architecture as landform.

From the plains below, the Pujiang Platform stands out subtly as a beacon, while from up close it dissolves into the hillside. This dual identity, blending in and standing out, defines the project’s architectural character.

A Telescopic Pavilion for Views and Events

The timber structure is composed of telescopic arches that naturally guide visitors toward a dramatic 10-meter-tall glazed façade. This large viewing window frames expansive mountain vistas and opens onto a cantilevered balcony overlooking the slope. Inside, the pavilion’s floor gently slopes downward while the ceiling rises upward, forming a natural tribune suitable for gatherings, presentations, weddings, and community events.

Oversized sliding glass doors blur the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing the balcony to function as an extension of the event space and reinforcing the strong visual connection to nature.

Sustainable Timber Construction and Low-Carbon Design

Pujiang Platform serves as a demonstration project advocating for greater use of timber in China’s construction industry. The primary structure is made from wood, significantly reducing embodied carbon compared to conventional concrete or steel buildings. This material choice aligns with MVRDV’s broader commitment to climate-conscious design.

Sustainability strategies extend beyond structure. The earth berm covering the pavilion provides insulation and thermal mass, stabilizing indoor temperatures throughout the year. A layered ceiling enables natural ventilation, while the north-facing orientation of the main façade minimizes solar heat gain. Roof overhangs, existing trees, and the landscape itself offer additional shading. Operational energy demands are further reduced through the integration of a geothermal heat pump system.

Landscape, Biodiversity, and Circulation

The surrounding landscape design enhances existing ecological conditions rather than replacing them. Native grasses, flowers, and small shrubs grow on the green roof, supported by a 10-centimeter soil layer. Existing waterways are reused for rainwater collection and irrigation, reinforcing a closed-loop environmental strategy.

Pathways already present on the site are upgraded and connected via a new staircase that forms a continuous walking loop. At its peak sits a circular secondary viewing platform, offering 360-degree views of both distant mountain ranges and the immediate hillside environment.

A Beacon for a Sustainable Town

Commissioned by the Pujiang County Planning and Resources Bureau, the project aligns with the vision of Pujiang as a sustainable new town. More than a scenic lookout, the Pujiang Platform is a public destination, educational example, and social gathering space that demonstrates how architecture can respect nature while enhancing human experience.

At night, light spilling from the glazed façade transforms the pavilion into a glowing landmark, visible from afar, yet deeply rooted in the landscape it inhabits.

All the photographs are works of Arch-Exist