Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion / Atelier CnS + School Of Architecture, South China University Of Technology

Architects: Atelier cnS, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology
Area: 120 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Ruibo Li, Li Chen
Lead Architects: Guanqiu Zhong, Gang Song, Zhiyuan Zhu
Design Team: Hairui Lin, Wenxuan Huang, Wenjing Xiao, Ruibo Li, Jinwang Hou
Leading Teacher (School Of Architecture, South China University Of Technology): Guanqiu Zhong
Design Team (School Of Architecture, South China University Of Technology): Wenhao Zhang, Wenchu Zhang, Yuhao Huang, Zhixian Tan, Yuliang Feng, Yaowen Hu, Yanzhen Chen, Yu Du, Xiangling Li, Yixuan Zeng, Yuran Luo, Ruowen Jiang
City: Foshan
Country: China

Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion 2.0, designed by Atelier cnS and the School of Architecture at South China University of Technology, revitalizes public space in Huanglong Village, Foshan, Guangdong Province, by blending modern design with historical and natural context. Located in Liyusha Park, the pavilion addresses the previously underutilized space by offering shaded, multifunctional areas that integrate recreation, a water theatre, and a wharf, enhancing the community’s connection to the waterfront. Inspired by Huanglong Village’s Lingnan water town heritage, the pavilion uses a double-sided cantilever bamboo structure to maximize gray space and adapt to the local climate, providing a venue for fishing, sightseeing, festivals, and cultural events like the Winter Melon Culture Festival. Constructed with raw bamboo and influenced by the earlier Changqi Stadium Bamboo Gallery 1.0, the design incorporates traditional bamboo weaving, a hidden steel skeleton for structural stability, and a waterproof membrane for rain protection. The project also advances from single modularization to component modularization, creating a more dynamic, curved structure, with umbrella-like cantilevers spanning up to 9.3 meters, while maintaining low-carbon, adaptable building methods suited for bamboo construction.

Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion / Atelier cnS + School of Architecture, South China University of Technology

Project Background
The 600-year-old Hulong Bridge remains quietly monumental, while the 300-year-old Du’s Ancestral Hall stands with solemnity. In Huanglong Village, a place rich in historical significance, these landmarks are complemented by two modern sculptures in Fulin Park, creating a unique interplay of history and modernity. Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion 2.0 is situated in Huanglong Ancient Village, Beijiao, Foshan, Guangdong Province. Historically known as “Baijiao,” meaning “hundred interlaced rivers and dense water network,” the village reflects the characteristics of a typical Lingnan water town. Here, gray spaces by the waterfront suit the local climate, making these interspersed public areas the most popular and engaging spots. Spaces that integrate seamlessly with nature become vibrant hubs for residents to gather, converse, and enjoy leisure activities near the water.

Space Vitality
The Bamboo Pavilion is situated in the newly developed Liyusha Park, located at the heart of Huanglong Village. While the park offered ample square space and a waterfront setting, it remained underutilized and uninviting due to the absence of a lush plant landscape for shade and recreation, essential for escaping the sun and rain. Site research revealed that villagers frequently engaged in fishing and other activities on the descending waterfront steps in the park. Adding shade to this area presented an opportunity to transform it into a vibrant and popular spot for both residents and visitors. Thus, the decision was made to construct a waterfront Bamboo Pavilion at these steps, aiming to create a shaded, welcoming space for people to enjoy the water culture of Huanglong Village. The pavilion’s design features a double-sided cantilever structure, leveraging the flexibility of natural bamboo to integrate both the structure and façade seamlessly. Combined with the steps, it maximizes the gray space along the waterfront. Functionally versatile, the Bamboo Pavilion serves as a recreational area, a water theatre, and a wharf, revitalizing and redefining the character of Huanglong Village.

Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion 2.0 has quickly become a favorite destination for both villagers and tourists. Following its completion, it attracted crowds eager to take photos and participate in various activities, including fishing, sightseeing, recreation, family gatherings, fitness, and photography. This increased popularity has transformed Liyusha Park into a vibrant hub, hosting cultural events like the Winter Melon Culture Festival. These gatherings provide opportunities for people to share stories, reinterpret traditions, and foster closer connections within the community.

Construction Continuity
Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion 2.0 builds on the design principles and construction techniques of Changqi Stadium’s Bamboo Gallery 1.0. It maintains a focus on modern design and the use of low-carbon raw bamboo materials while incorporating the craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal of traditional rural bamboo weaving. The pavilion creates a gray space with minimal columns, offering clear sightlines, protection from wind and rain, and uninterrupted functionality for activities. Drawing from the experience of Bamboo Gallery 1.0, the structural design for the pavilion was refined to achieve an optimal integration of structure and façade.

The beam-column system uses staggered joints of raw bamboo spliced to achieve an extended overhanging length, supported by a concealed interior steel skeleton to handle structural stress and maintain the pavilion’s form. Bamboo weaving on the surface creates dynamic light and shadow effects while providing shade within the interior space. Furthermore, the “skin effect” enhances the stability and cohesion of the umbrella-shaped structure, which is further protected by a transparent waterproof film that shields it from rain. The transition from a unilateral to a bilateral cantilever design eliminates the distinction between the front and back of the pavilion. Structural optimizations reduce the diameter of the bamboo columns while maximizing cantilever depth, achieving an umbrella cover diameter of up to 9.3 meters.

The exploration of construction techniques prioritizes design logic suited to bamboo architecture and climate adaptability. To overcome the monotony caused by the single modularization approach used in Changqi Stadium’s Bamboo Gallery 1.0, Huanglong Waterfront Bamboo Pavilion 2.0 adopts component modularization. While the production logic for both approaches is identical, component modularization introduces greater variety and dynamism to the overall structure. The design transitions a two-dimensional curve into a three-dimensional bidirectional curved cantilever, while the construction process remains two-dimensional and flat, facilitating the broader adoption of bamboo architecture. The same skilled craftsmen who worked on Bamboo Gallery 1.0 contributed to the pavilion’s construction, advancing their craft alongside the design team.