Luhu Water City spans 1.92 square kilometers and is situated along the southern section of Tianfu Avenue in Chengdu. On March 27, 2019, it was designated a 4A-level tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration, establishing it as the “central gateway” to Chengdu’s core Tianfu New Area.
▼ General Plan of Luhu Ecological Scenic Area
As a contemporary model of a lakefront urban leisure tourism complex, Luhu Water City centers around modern architectural design and an artificial lake ecological landscape. It offers a diverse range of experiences including architectural appreciation, contemporary art exhibitions and exchanges, boutique garden tours, sports and fitness, parent-child activities, and science education—making it a destination for both art lovers and recreational visitors.
Location of Tourist Center
Project Background: Accelerated Timeline
To align with the construction schedule of Chengdu’s 4A-level scenic area, the design team was tasked with completing all designs and putting them into operation within five months. This tight timeline prioritized prefabricated design solutions.
Design Philosophy
The building’s original concept was inspired by “a sailboat on the water city,” aiming to convey a lightweight aesthetic. To better integrate with the natural surroundings and reduce construction time, the primary material chosen was fully glued laminated wood. Exposed wooden columns and beams minimize the need for additional decoration while showcasing the natural beauty and texture of the wood structure.
The entrance hall features a traditional double-pitched wooden roof combined with green bricks and color steel plates.
▼ Visitor Center Entrance Landscape
▼ Northwest perspective showcasing the lightweight form of the main hall and auxiliary rooms
▼ Southwest perspective
▼ Exposed wooden beams and columns detail
The building’s central corridor integrates green brick walls with landscape design, creating two distinct courtyards at the front and rear of the site. Together with the water feature at the entrance, this design seamlessly blends the structure into the surrounding natural environment.
▼ Aerial view of the entrance corridor
▼ Water landscape
Interior Space
The tourist center’s lobby and logistical support areas are composed of simple rectangular and square rooms, connected by a circular public display area and a retail corridor. This design creates a natural progression from open to private spaces. By integrating circulation areas with functional spaces, the design encourages visitors to explore and engage playfully while moving through the center—aligning perfectly with the overall vision of Luhu Water City.
▼ Plan view
▼ Circular display area linking the front and rear sections
▼ South elevation
▼ North elevation
A low transitional corridor connects two taller spaces, cleverly creating the illusion of two spacious public areas within the site’s limited footprint. The interior decoration highlights the exposed wooden structure. Partition walls stop short of the ceiling, allowing the space to feel open and airy.
Low corridor linking the front and rear spaces
Landscape Design
At the water-facing slope leading onto Luke Island, taking advantage of the site’s elevation changes, the entrance image of the scenic area—including the tourist center and landscape starting zone—has been thoughtfully arranged.
The steps ascending to the tourist center merge with the slope, creating a natural climbing path. At waist height on the slope, a reflective water feature forms an open and closed walkway. From the building’s outer platform, visitors’ sightlines align with the mirrored water, blending the view of the lake and sky into a seamless, unified scene. On the terrace’s opposite side, a water channel extends from the water surface and cascades five meters down the slope, offering a unique and engaging experience.
▼ Entrance steps in front of the tourist center
▼ The external platform’s line of sight aligns horizontally with the mirrored water feature
Five-meter-high water channel landscape
▼ Main entrance facade
▼ West facade
(BIM Engineer)
▼ Sectional drawing
▼ Wooden structure diagram
▼ Sketch
Project Information:
Designer: HC+2 Studio
Location: Tianfu Avenue, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Category: Visitor Center
Chief Architects: Hu Teng, Tai Xiaoxiao
Building Area: 330.0 square meters
Project Year: 2018
Photographers: Existence Architecture, Wanhua Investment Group
Manufacturers: Canfor, LP Brasil, BAYER
Interior Design: Sub Wood Space Design
Landscape Design: Yudao Landscape
Project Management Team: Luo Xi, Li Guoqin, Xu Chuan, Li Jun, Yu Wei
Civil Construction Team: Chengdu Dingxin Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Wooden Structure Construction and Detailing: Sichuan Mingdi Wooden Structure Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Interior Decoration Team: Sichuan Times Construction Group Co., Ltd
Landscape Construction Team: Arhat Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd
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