The domed roof of the Pujiang Platform, a timber pavilion designed by Dutch studio MVRDV, is covered in grass and sits atop an existing viewpoint nestled in the hills of Chengdu, China.
Situated in the southern area of the city, the pavilion was conceived to blend harmoniously with the undulating landscape, recreating the form of a hill that previously stood there before the site was leveled to accommodate the original lookout.
The Pujiang Platform now provides shelter over the old viewpoint, transforming it into a destination for visitors and a venue for events, while also introducing a cantilevered balcony for enhanced views.
MVRDV states that the pavilion’s green roof and surrounding landscape design “aim to enhance what already exists at the site,” fostering the growth of native grasses, flowers, and small shrubs.
“The hills of this region are truly a spectacular sight, so one of the challenges we faced was to make the most of those views while reducing the impact on the landscape,” said Jacob van Rijs, founding partner at MVRDV.
He continued, “By adding a hill-shaped pavilion with a green roof, we not only minimize our impact but also restore the hill that once existed here.”
The Pujiang Platform offers panoramic views over the developing new town of Pujiang and the distant Qionglai Mountain range.
The transformation of the viewpoint was commissioned by the Pujiang County Planning and Resources Bureau, a local government agency.
Visitors enter the pavilion through a compact glass facade on its southeast side.
Inside, the roof gently rises as the floor slopes downward, producing what MVRDV describes as a “telescopic” effect that naturally guides visitors toward the large viewing window and the balcony that extends over the hillside.
The expansive window stands 10 metres tall and features sliding doors opening directly onto the balcony.
Beneath the main viewing deck is a “support room” containing amenities such as a kitchen, partially embedded into the ground and finished externally with stone cladding.
The main structure of the Pujiang Platform is constructed from timber, selected for its low embodied carbon and to support the project’s broader goal of integrating respectfully with the natural environment.
“Preserving and respecting nature is at the heart of the design, a principle reflected in the construction methods as well. We used biobased materials such as wood, which are more sustainable and have a reduced impact on sensitive environments like this,” van Rijs explained.
The project also aims to promote “greater adoption of wood in the Chinese construction industry,” which, according to the studio, has been “reluctant to use the material at scale.”
MVRDV improved the pathways around the pavilion, adding a spiral staircase that leads up to a newly introduced secondary viewpoint.
The pavilion emphasizes natural ventilation, while part of its energy needs are supplied by a geothermal heat pump. Existing waterways at
