A groundbreaking forest retreat camp has emerged in Wuhan, China, where over a dozen innovative treehouses blend seamlessly with nature in a metasequoia forest habitat for migratory birds. The "Merryda Wiki World Secret Camp" represents a collaboration between United Investment Merryda Hotel Management Group and Wiki World, in partnership with Advanced Architecture Lab, creating a 608-square-meter architectural project that redefines the relationship between human habitation and natural ecosystems.
Located on Cihui Street in Dongxihu District, Wuhan, this extraordinary project transforms the concept of hospitality architecture by placing guests directly among the treetops where migratory birds nest and roost. Each treehouse appears to have evolved organically from the forest itself, designed with inspiration drawn from local birds, seeds, plants, and bird eggs. The architectural team, led by Mu Wei, Feng Zhaoxian, Wu Baorong, He Wen, Xu Xiaodong, Liao Xiaotian, Wang Yuanying, and Chen Liang, has created structures that serve as companions to the resident bird population rather than intrusions upon their habitat.
The camp features six distinctively themed treehouses, each telling its own unique story while maintaining harmony with the natural environment. "Time Machine" appears as a silver time capsule at the forest's edge, reminiscent of a magical portal that sparks curiosity about potential destinations. "Nomadic Land" represents a dreamlike realm miniaturized into a tranquil domain with no exit, offering guests a blueprint brought back from dreams. "Playground" fulfills childhood fantasies of being left behind in a playground, complete with swings and climbing structures where guests can gaze at stars and sleep under towering trees.
"Daydream" stands out as a treehouse wrapped in mirrored metal surfaces, transforming the surrounding forest into a kaleidoscope of surreal reflections where sunlight bounces off surfaces and blurs the lines between reality and illusion. "Red Windmill" serves as the forest's dancer, clad in pure red that creates a theatrical atmosphere among the swaying metasequoias and palm trees. "The Unicorn" resembles a mythical forest creature draped in silver armor, with its loft rising like a horn pointing toward the sky.
The project's commitment to environmental preservation extends beyond aesthetic considerations to fundamental construction methodology. Wiki World maintained absolute respect for the existing ecosystem by preserving every tree on the site, utilizing fully elevated prefabricated wooden structures that leave the ground completely untouched. The forest floor remains unhardened and free from artificial landscaping, ensuring the original ecological state of the metasequoia forest remains intact for the benefit of both wildlife and future generations.
Construction employed advanced glued timber structures with each custom-shaped component and joint digitally designed and customized to achieve 100% prefabricated assembly. This innovative approach allows the buildings to function like oversized Lego blocks, placed carefully within the forest without disturbing the natural habitat. The team adhered to traditional wild wood construction techniques, including hand-firing the façade carbonized wood boards, while connecting all cabins through small metal components that enable repeated assembly and disassembly.
Beyond accommodation, "Wiki Secrets" functions as an open forest art gallery and nature school where exhibitions and spatial installations are scattered throughout the woods. The facility regularly hosts collaborative exploration of environmental topics and organizes quirky art festivals that pay tribute to nature through eco-friendly methods. The "Forest Reception" serves as a creative hub where whimsical ideas inspired by nature come to life through natural materials, producing cultural products including bird-shaped alarm clocks, egg-shaped tables, seed cards, and miniature "tree" bags.
The project represents another iteration of Wiki World's "Wiki Building School" co-building with nature initiative, demonstrating the organization's ongoing exploration of diverse living space possibilities. Regular programming includes the "Wiki Building School" Sino-French Construction Festival, which invites nature-loving adults and children to continue exploring forms of home within natural settings. Guests participate in exhibitions such as "Evolution of Birds," curated specifically for the resident feathered population, and engage in hands-on activities like constructing DIY birdhouses while eagerly awaiting the return of migratory travelers each spring.
This architectural achievement challenges conventional thinking about the relationship between built environments and natural ecosystems, proposing that human habitation can enhance rather than diminish wildlife habitats. The project's success lies in its demonstration that luxury hospitality experiences can coexist with rigorous environmental stewardship, creating spaces where guests become temporary residents of a thriving ecosystem rather than visitors to a managed natural attraction."
