A unique forest retreat featuring more than a dozen elevated treehouses has been developed within a metasequoia forest in China, creating an innovative blend of accommodation, art gallery, and environmental education center. The Secret Camp, developed by United Investment Merryda Hotel Management Group in collaboration with Wiki World, is located on Cihui Street in Dongxihu District, Wuhan, and serves as both a hospitality destination and an experimental platform for sustainable architecture.

The project emerges from Wiki World's Wiki Building School initiative, which explores new forms of habitation that directly engage with natural environments. Set within a forest that serves as a habitat for migratory birds, the retreat was designed with careful consideration for the existing ecosystem. Every existing tree was preserved during construction, and all cabin structures are built on fully elevated prefabricated timber frameworks to minimize disturbance to the forest floor, which remains unpaved to maintain the area's natural ecology.

Each treehouse presents a distinctive architectural and conceptual interpretation of forest elements, drawing inspiration from local birds, seeds, and natural forms. The six main structures bear evocative names that reflect their unique characteristics: Time Machine, Nomadic Land, Playground, Daydreamer, Red Windmill, and Unicorn. Time Machine features a reflective silver finish that creates a futuristic contrast against the natural woodland setting, while Nomadic Land embodies the concept of temporary settlement through its compact, self-contained design.

The Playground structure emphasizes playful interaction with the surrounding trees through creative circulation patterns that recall childhood imagination and wonder. Daydream incorporates mirrored metal cladding that reflects the forest canopy, effectively blending the structure into its natural surroundings. Red Windmill stands out with its vibrant red color palette, serving as a visual landmark within the forest canopy, while Unicorn features a vertical loft design clad in silver panels that reference mythical symbolism and storytelling.

Developed by Hubei-based architectural firm Wiki World, the retreat operates under a dual function as both an accommodation site and an open-air forest art gallery. Throughout the year, the facility hosts temporary art installations, educational exhibitions, and hands-on workshops that emphasize collaborative creation and environmental awareness. The central Forest Reception area serves as a creative hub for eco-friendly design experiments and projects, including the production of bird-inspired objects and studies using natural materials.

The educational component of the project includes interactive features such as the "Letters from Birds" and "Evolution of Birds" exhibitions, which encourage visitors to engage meaningfully with the forest environment while learning about local bird species and their behaviors. A popular birdhouse-making activity further strengthens the connection between visitors and the theme of harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. The retreat also hosts the Wiki Building School Sino-French Construction Festival, an annual event that invites participants to explore sustainable construction techniques and examine concepts of small-scale living within natural environments.

The architectural approach reflects Wiki World's philosophy of "Build Small, Dream Big," promoting a minimalist approach to habitation that prioritizes the relationship between human behavior and the surrounding environment. Each cabin is designed to redefine comfort through proximity to nature, with the reduced scale encouraging heightened sensory engagement with the forest ecosystem. The 2-meter-wide home concept demonstrates a flexible, modular approach to domestic space that allows for design variation without compromising functional efficiency.

All structures employ advanced glued laminated timber systems that are digitally modeled for precision and fully prefabricated for efficient on-site assembly. The facades are clad in hand-fired carbonized wood panels, providing both durability and a natural finish that complements the forest setting. The elevated design ensures that no structure makes direct contact with the ground, eliminating the need for artificial landscaping or site modification.

The construction methodology emphasizes sustainability and minimal environmental impact through the use of modular timber components connected by small metal joints, enabling complete disassembly and component reuse when necessary. This innovative approach ensures minimal disruption to the existing forest ecosystem while supporting Wiki World's broader commitment to sustainable, low-impact building practices that can serve as a model for future eco-conscious architectural projects.