Wutopia Lab has successfully completed an ambitious architectural project known as Flickering Peak, located in the picturesque Coffee Village of Hainan, China. The centerpiece of this project, the Sun River Art Center, is enveloped in a semi-transparent white Ferrari facade membrane, featuring three levels of perforation. This striking structure now stands on land that was once a coffee plantation, cultivated by overseas Chinese who returned from Indonesia. Its captivating visual presence, both during the day and at night, has swiftly established it as a cultural landmark, embodying miracles and hope for the local community.
Initially, the design of the Sun River Art Center did not meet the client’s expectations, prompting them to seek a new vision. Wutopia Lab was tasked with the challenge of creating an art gallery that would not only be visually stunning but also maintain architectural integrity. This endeavor had to be accomplished within the constraints of an already constructed basement and existing structural parameters, making the task even more complex.
The challenge was clear: the new design had to respect the original building’s load limits and remain within the established boundaries. Coffee Village is steeped in history, having been developed by Chinese immigrants who returned from Indonesia during a time of anti-Chinese sentiment. These pioneers transformed a wild landscape into a flourishing coffee industry, crafting a narrative of resilience and success that resonated deeply with Wutopia Lab.
This rich history, marked by struggle, exile, and eventual triumph, served as a profound source of inspiration for the project. The client’s aspiration for a sea view, despite Coffee Village’s inland location, ignited the idea of creating an artificial sea. Wutopia Lab drew from previous projects, where a similar concept of ‘a pool and three mountains’ had been successfully executed.
In this new vision, the three buildings from the original plan were reinterpreted as mountains, with an artificial sea positioned in front of them. This innovative design pays homage to the remarkable achievements of the overseas Chinese community, symbolizing their enduring hope for a prosperous future.
Among the three original buildings, the central structure was designated as the main building of the art center. The two auxiliary buildings were repurposed to serve as reception and office spaces. This architectural ensemble was ingeniously transformed into an abstract representation of mountains, with the main building symbolizing the primary peak, standing tall and proud.
Visitors are welcomed into the center via a boardwalk that gracefully stretches over an artificial sea. This water element flows seamlessly into the building’s lobby, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. Once inside, guests can choose between two distinct paths, each intertwining indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing them to explore the layered ‘mountain’ in a unique way.
To ensure that the complex design would stand out against its surroundings, Wutopia Lab made a bold choice to envelop the buildings in semi-transparent shells. This innovative approach effectively detached the structures from their functional facades, creating a new visual boundary. The result was an abstracted representation of mountain peaks, contributing to the project’s distinctive aesthetic.
Given the structural load restrictions, lightweight Ferrari membranes were selected instead of traditional perforated aluminum panels. These membranes, featuring varying levels of transparency, produce a mesmerizing flickering visual effect under the bright Hainan sun. This captivating interplay of light and shadow inspired the project’s name, Flickering Peak.
The design masterfully combines natural and architectural elements, resulting in a complex interplay of spaces both inside and out. This thoughtful arrangement offers visitors a rich, multi-layered experience that invites exploration and reflection. The project’s design continues to evolve into the night, thanks to carefully planned lighting that transforms the translucent peaks into a dynamic landscape of colored lights.
This striking contrast between day and night highlights the duality of the structure—exuding a sense of sanctity by day while radiating material vibrancy by night. Inside the lobby, a dramatic lighting design amplifies this effect, creating moments reminiscent of Rothko’s work, where the boundaries between architecture and art beautifully converge.