Aerial view of the Pujiang Platform emerging from the hillside landscape with panoramic views towards the town and mountains © MVRDV
Curated by ArchiRev Editorial | Feature Story | Published June 4th, 2026 | Source: MVRDV
Typologies: Pavilion, Auditorium
Themes: Leisure, Public, Sustainability
Status: Realised
Location: Pujiang, China
Year: 2022–2025
Surface: 414 m²
Client: Pujiang County Planning and Resources Bureau
Certification: China Green Building Label – 2 Stars
Pujiang Platform by MVRDV is a timber pavilion and viewing spot on hills overlooking the sustainable town of Pujiang, southwest of Chengdu. Finished in 2025, this 414-square-meter project turns a regular hilltop spot into a fun public place for events, gatherings, and enjoying nature. It can host all sorts of activities from cultural events to weddings and presentations too. The designers cleverly made it look like a hill, blending it into the landscape rather than sticking out. They did this by recreating the form of a hill that was flattened before.
Exterior perspective showing the earth-covered pavilion integrated into the hillside © MVRDV
Nestled in a place known for awesome natural beauty, the spot gives amazing views of the growing town down below and the far-off Qionglai Mountain range. MVRDV’s task was to turn the existing viewpoint into a must-visit destination without messing with the untouched surroundings. They came up with a clever design: a telescopic pavilion made from timber arches. It’s partly hidden under an earth-covered roof, blending with the land while standing out after dark thanks to its glowing lights.
An interior view showing the sloping tribune space facing the panoramic glazed opening © MVRDV
The project started with the observation that the original hilltop had been significantly altered during the construction of the old viewing platform. Instead of adding yet another object to the scene, the plan is to fix part of what was missing. By having the earth berm cover the structure, it copies the shape of the former hill, helping the building blend into the land.
This does two things—it makes the building look less out of place, and it ties the structure closer to where it sits. Visitors start their journey through a plain glass entry hidden in the hillside. As they move in, the space shows itself bit by bit. The ground drops, and the ceiling rises, matching the natural tilt of the ground.
This flow creates a theatre-like spot, perfect for shows, get-togethers, and hanging around. There’s also an impressive ten-meter-high glass front that highlights the beautiful views of the distant mountains—they become the key feature of the architecture. Sliding doors let folks head straight out to a hanging balcony, making events spill outside.
Viewing balcony projecting from the hillside overlooking the landscape © MVRDV
Timber is key to the project’s identity. The pavilion uses a timber arch structure, showing wood’s potential as a low-carbon building material in the Chinese construction industry. Since large-scale timber construction isn’t common there, this project acts as a public spot and a real-world example of greener building methods.
Plants play a big part in keeping the place eco-friendly. Local plants were used for guidance on what to put where, and the green roof grows grasses, flowers, and small shrubs. This helps blend the building into its environment. They kept and used existing waterways for irrigation too, so the site fits in with nature instead of fighting against it.
Green roof landscape showing native planting and integration with the hillside © MVRDV
The project goes beyond the pavilion, changing how people move up the hill. It connects existing paths with a cool, sculptural staircase, forming one continuous loop. This new route lets visitors wander instead of heading straight to the top. Plus, at the staircase’s highest spot, there’s a round platform for awesome views. From there, you can take in the whole area and even see distant mountains all around.
Circular secondary viewing platform overlooking mountains and surrounding landscape © MVRDV
Sustainability runs through the whole project. The roof covered with earth helps keep the place insulated and at a steady temperature year-round. To cut down on cooling needs, they use natural airflow. Plus, the big window is placed to stop too much sun from coming in. This pavilion has more eco-friendly stuff like it collects rainwater for use and manages how waters used around the landscape. All these efforts make sure the building operates sustainably and help show Pujiang as a green new city.
Evening view of the illuminated pavilion acting as a beacon within the hills © MVRDV
When the day ends, the pavilion changes its vibe. The light shining through its big glass front makes it look like a glowing sign, visible from down in the plains. During the day, it fits smoothly into the scenery, but at night it becomes this clear marker on the hill. It respects nature while still standing out.
Finished in 2025, the Pujiang Platform shows how buildings can make landscapes more special without dominating them. With its earthy design, wood structure, and awesome views, the project highlights the spot’s natural charm and the eco-friendly goals of the developing town beneath.
GALLERY
