A striking new pavilion designed by DL Atelier has been completed in Longtan Town, Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, creating a unique architectural experience that weaves through a bamboo grove between a road and the Tiegang River. The Floral Wander Loop pavilion forms part of the ambitious Nankunshan-Luofushan Rim Pioneer Zone Architectural Art Project, which features sixteen installations along a circuit road, each interpreting themes from classical Chinese literature.
The project draws its inspiration from "Sixteen Joys of Life in Huizhou," a literary work composed by renowned poet Su Shi during his exile in the region. The Tiegang River Pavilion, officially named the Floral Wander Loop, specifically references the poetic motif "Humbly sought to make flowers bloom." Rather than creating a literal representation, DL Atelier has reinterpreted this poetic metaphor through spatial experience and architectural form.
The building's design follows an elongated loop configuration that aligns harmoniously with both the natural flow of the Tiegang River and the movement of vehicles along the adjacent road. This thoughtful orientation creates a circulation pattern where visitors depart and return along the same route, experiencing alternating sequences of constricted and open spaces that generate a rhythmic pattern of compression and release. Within the limited confines of the bamboo forest site, this continuous pathway effectively extends the visitor's journey, transforming movement itself into a compelling spatial narrative.
The pavilion serves as a sophisticated mediator between two linear continuities - the road and the river - by establishing a third architectural layer within the existing bamboo grove. Rather than creating a barrier, the design functions as a spatial interface that allows natural drainage systems and existing vegetation to remain completely uninterrupted. The main structural system consists of narrow weathering steel modules, each measuring approximately 2.1 meters in height and 1.2 meters in width, arranged in a carefully planned staggered parallel configuration to form a distinctive passageway.
All structural units are elevated slightly above the ground level on 1-centimeter steel plates, a design decision that ensures complete water permeability while preserving the site's natural topographical contours. This sensitive approach to the landscape demonstrates the architects' commitment to environmental stewardship and minimal site disruption. The weathering steel material was chosen both for its durability and its ability to develop a natural patina over time that will blend with the surrounding bamboo forest.
The architectural experience unfolds through four distinct spatial episodes, each titled "Pleasant," "Powerless," "Serendipitous," and "Expansive," with each section reflecting different stages in Su Shi's life and poetic expression. The Pleasant section begins at the entrance plaza, which follows the site's natural topography and opens at a higher elevation. This area is defined by carefully selected gravel paving, bamboo edges, and minimal seating arrangements, and includes practical facilities such as a water bar and restrooms. This open and calm setting serves as an introduction to the journey before visitors descend into the narrow metallic passage.
The Powerless section creates a dramatically different experience within the corridor of weathering steel, where visitors encounter a deliberately constricted and dimly lit environment. In this space, environmental elements including natural light, wind, and rain are perceived through narrow apertures, creating a heightened awareness of natural phenomena and spatial tension. This design choice intentionally limits the visitor's visual field to intensify the sensory experience of the natural surroundings.
The Serendipitous section marks a transition as the path concludes in a circular pavilion containing a specially commissioned floral installation by artist Chen Zhuo. Inspired by natural rock formations, the artwork is rendered in stainless steel with a random hairline finish that beautifully diffuses color and natural light throughout the space. A strategically placed central skylight frames the bamboo canopy above, marking a symbolic and physical transition from enclosure to openness.
The final Expansive section extends the loop outward toward the Tiegang River, where specially designed swings made of metal mesh are positioned along the water's edge. This area provides open landscape views, abundant natural light, and reflective water surfaces that create a striking contrast to the preceding enclosed spaces. The design progression from compression to release works both symbolically and spatially, creating a journey that mirrors the emotional and philosophical themes found in Su Shi's poetry.
Through the Floral Wander Loop project, Chinese architectural practice DL Atelier has successfully integrated literary reference, environmental response, and spatial rhythm into a coherent architectural system. The project effectively translates Su Shi's historical reflections on transformation and continuity into contemporary built form, using minimal materials and demonstrating exceptional topographical sensitivity. Through its innovative looped circulation system, adaptive materiality choices, and thoughtful interaction with natural elements, the pavilion establishes a meaningful dialogue between historical narrative and contemporary architectural language, creating a destination that honors both China's literary heritage and modern design innovation.
