Flickering Peak: The Architectural Marvel of Sun River Art Center in Hainan
In 2024, the Flickering Peak, an architectural marvel designed by Wutopia Lab, emerged as a striking addition to Coffee Village in Wanning, Hainan. This art center, known as the Sun River Art Center, is draped in a semi-transparent white Ferrari membrane, characterized by three distinct perforation rates. The center stands on the historic site of a coffee plantation, established by overseas Chinese who returned from Indonesia. As a cultural landmark, the Flickering Peak symbolizes hope and innovation, captivating visitors with its dynamic visual expressions both day and night.
The Flickering Peak’s inception was marked by a client’s dissatisfaction with the initial design of the art center, prompting a fresh approach. Wutopia Lab was tasked with crafting a design that balanced functionality with aesthetic appeal, constrained by the existing basement structure that limited alterations. The challenge lay in enhancing the building’s visual narrative without exceeding the original structural load or building control lines.
The historical context of the coffee town, rooted in the experiences of overseas Chinese who faced persecution and returned to reclaim their heritage, inspired the architectural vision. This compelling narrative of resilience served as a motivating force, guiding the creative process. The client’s desire for a sea view led to the innovative idea of integrating three buildings, which would represent mountains, alongside an artificial sea. This design choice not only honors the legacy of the overseas Chinese but also evokes the spirit of miracles, encapsulating a hopeful future.
The layout conceptualizes the three original buildings as distinct mountains, with the central structure serving as the primary mountain and the flanking buildings acting as secondary peaks. The artificial sea flows in front of the main building, allowing visitors to traverse a scenic boardwalk. This design fosters a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments, transforming the originally box-shaped structure into an abstract layered mountain. The main lobby, designed to be spacious and inviting, features an innovative support system that removes visual obstructions, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.
To ensure visual coherence amidst a diverse architectural landscape, Wutopia Lab introduced a semi-transparent shell around each building. This addition serves to abstract the functional facades, allowing the structures to rise like mountain peaks against their backdrop. By detaching the shell from the building’s climatic boundaries, a new visual layer is created, offering a shaded grey space that invites exploration and interaction, reflecting principles rooted in traditional Chinese architecture.
A notable innovation in the design of Flickering Peak is the use of lightweight Ferrari membranes, which replace traditional perforated aluminum panels. These membranes, with varying degrees of transparency, emulate the appearance of mountain peaks, creating a unique flickering effect in the sunlight. This captivating visual phenomenon gives rise to the name “Flickering Peak,” imbuing the structure with a sense of vibrancy and life.
The architectural narrative extends beyond mere form; it intertwines with natural elements and cultural symbols, creating a rich tapestry of intertextuality. Features such as the cave-like lobby, arched pathways, and water channels blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the connection between the built environment and nature. This synthesis invites visitors to engage with history, myths, and the architectural language that defines the region.
As day turns to dusk, the Flickering Peak transforms into a beacon of light. The design team collaborated with lighting experts to highlight the sanctity of the structure, resulting in a vibrant spectacle that symbolizes diverse desires. Inside the main lobby, a dramatic lighting scheme creates a dynamic atmosphere, evoking philosophical reflections on the interplay between materiality and sanctity—a hallmark of traditional Chinese architecture.
All images by Guowei Liu, courtesy of Wutopia Lab, shared with permission
Wutopia Lab: Wutopia Lab
