Project Name: Shunde Cloud Egret Wetland Museum

Location: Shunde District, Foshan, China

Design Team: Link-Arc Architecture

Building Area: 1,800 m²

Completion Date: 2024

Photography: Tian Fangfang, EXISTENCE ARCHITECTURE, WoodX AlexanDENG, Guo Shiyu

Principal Designer: Lu Yichen

Project Leader: Guo Shiyu

Project Team: Zhou Rui, Zhang Jiaqi, Zhong Zhenwei, Liu Zida, Cheng Jingbin, Luis Ausin, Yang Lingyun, Qi Feng, Xu Jiarui, Hua Xinning, Sarah Kenney, Li Zishi, Isabella Chong

Executive Architect/MEP Design: Aoyi Architectural Engineering Design Co., Ltd.

Structural Design: Shenzhen Xingjian Engineering Design Consulting Co., Ltd.

Curtain Wall Consultant: Shenyang Zhengxiang Decoration Design Co., Ltd.

Landscape Design: Chengji Landscape

Interior Design: Yushe Design

Lighting Consultant: Shanghai Gerui Lighting Design Co., Ltd.

Construction: China Construction Fourth Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd., Beijing Yihui Da Qingshui Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.

Client: China Resources Land, Foshan Shunde District Government

Feature：

Project - In the heart of Shunde, China, the Cloud Egret Wetland Museum emerges as a groundbreaking architectural intervention that masterfully balances human observation with ecological preservation. Designed by Link-Arc Architecture, this 1,800-square-meter structure represents a revolutionary approach to wildlife observation architecture, seamlessly integrating into a habitat that hosts 25,000 egrets.

The museum's most striking feature is its composition of four stacked concrete tubes, each precisely rotated to capture optimal viewing angles of the surrounding wetland ecosystem. This innovative design creates what the architects call "viewing frames" at different heights, offering visitors a unique perspective of nature from root level to treetop. The tubes are strategically positioned behind an existing row of dawn redwood trees, allowing the building to virtually disappear into the subtropical forest when viewed from the egret island.

The project's origin story adds a compelling layer of significance – it began with a single bamboo grove planted 26 years ago by a local conservationist nicknamed "Bird Uncle," whose dedication transformed the area into an urban sanctuary for egrets. The museum now stands as a testament to this legacy, with the local government expanding the protected area thirteenfold.

What sets this museum apart is its sophisticated structural solution. The intersecting concrete tubes create a triangular central atrium through Boolean subtraction, serving as a shared viewpoint where visitors can simultaneously observe multiple perspectives of the landscape. The building's exterior features board-formed concrete using pine wood, creating a natural texture that resonates with the surrounding forest. Perhaps most ingeniously, the roof is covered with lotus pools, effectively camouflaging the building's fifth elevation and further integrating it into the wetland environment.

The project exemplifies sustainable architecture through its meticulous attention to tree preservation. After mapping 560 existing trees, the architects carefully positioned and rotated each level to minimize the impact on the natural environment while maximizing optimal bird-watching vantage points. This thoughtful approach to environmental stewardship sets a new standard for ecological architecture, demonstrating how buildings can serve human needs while respecting and enhancing their natural context.

Design Team - Studio Link-Arc, established in New York, stands as a distinguished international architectural practice that exemplifies the intersection of global design thinking and contextual sensitivity. Founded on the principle of connecting diverse perspectives and resources, the firm's name reflects its collaborative ethos in architectural design, urban planning, and spatial arts.

Under the leadership of Principal Architect Yichen Lu, together with Senior Managers Letty Lau and Luis Ausin in New York, and supported by regional directors in Shanghai and Shenzhen, the practice has evolved into a multi-nodal design powerhouse since its inception. The firm operates through three strategic hubs - New York, Shanghai, and Shenzhen - allowing for a dynamic synthesis of Eastern and Western architectural paradigms.

Link-Arc's portfolio spans various typologies and scales, from cultural institutions to civic landmarks. Their design methodology is characterized by a rigorous investigation of site context and programmatic elements, leading to architecture that transcends mere functionality to create meaningful spatial experiences. Notable projects include the award-winning China Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015, the Nanjing Bay Art Center (recipient of the 2022 Asian Architects Association Gold Award), and the China Resources Archive Library.

The practice's architectural philosophy emphasizes the creation of new spatial orders through careful consideration of site relationships and contextual elements. Their work is distinguished by a sophisticated integration of technical innovation, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable practices, resulting in buildings that respond thoughtfully to both their immediate environment and broader societal needs.