A series of dramatic bamboo canopies shaped like boulders crowns LuxeIsland Farm, an innovative eco-tourism destination in China's Sichuan Province. Designed by Shanghai-based architecture studio Various Associates, the project transforms a conventional farm into an immersive cultural experience along the Zhujia River in Chengdu's Jiang'an District. The development spans approximately 230,000 square meters—roughly equivalent to 57 acres—as part of the larger LuxeOasis masterplan initiated by Luxelakes Cultural Tourism. This ambitious venture integrates animal husbandry, retail, dining, and educational workshops within a landscape that prioritizes both human comfort and animal welfare. The farm houses diverse species including deer, alpacas, and goats, with each enclosure carefully integrated into the natural topography.
The design team's inspiration emerged from observing the natural behaviors of mountain goats, known for their remarkable ability to navigate steep, rocky terrain. Lead designers Lin Qianyi and Yang Dongzi explained that this observation sparked the concept of "celestial boulders" scattered freely across the valley landscape. The architects deliberately rejected traditional wooden farmhouse architecture, which they felt prioritized human needs over environmental harmony. Instead, they sought forms that would serve nature, the environment, and the animals themselves. This philosophy manifests in the organic, boulder-shaped canopies that appear to grow naturally from the hilly pastures, creating sheltered outdoor spaces for visitors while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding ecosystem.
The farm's architectural program includes a feed house, café, workshop, and restroom facilities, all housed within curved volumes finished in a pale, textured render that complements the natural setting. These buildings line meandering pathways that expand periodically to create plazas and seating areas interspersed with curated plantings. Extending from each structure is a woven bamboo canopy of varying dimensions, supported at opposite ends by sculptural stone formations that mimic natural standing stones. The largest canopy spans the central workshop area, where designers created a hemispherical form with triangular openings in the upper portion and removed the lower section to enhance lightness and ventilation. This design allows sunlight to filter through, casting dynamic triangular patterns of light that occasionally captivate the farm's smaller animals.
Various Associates emphasized the use of local materials and traditional craftsmanship to achieve what they describe as a "primal texture" that evokes rustic simplicity reminiscent of wild landscapes. The bamboo weaving technique employed for the canopies reflects regional building traditions while serving a contemporary functional purpose. Hay bale seating, natural stone boulders, and timber platforms are strategically placed throughout the open plazas, providing flexible furniture that can transform into impromptu performance stages for cultural events. This approach ensures the spaces can accommodate a wide variety of commercial and educational activities while maintaining their natural character. The designers noted that the bamboo structure above the workshop represents their largest span, engineered specifically to create a breathable, lightweight atmosphere.
Four animal enclosures—two positioned to the north and two to the south—are carved into low hills and topped with green roofs that blend seamlessly into the landscape. The pens are accessed through circular timber doors that emphasize the design's organic aesthetic. At the farm's entrance, a doughnut shop features a striking metal-clad "spaceship" roof that serves as a visual landmark and gathering point for visitors, creating a deliberate contrast with the more naturalistic farm buildings. This juxtaposition helps orient guests within the expansive development while providing a memorable architectural moment. The integration of animal habitats into the terrain demonstrates the architects' commitment to creating spaces that prioritize animal welfare alongside human experience.
The LuxeIsland Farm project represents a growing trend in China toward experiential tourism that combines environmental education with cultural programming. Photography documentation by SFAP captures the project's unique synthesis of traditional materials and innovative form-making. The development joins other recent Chinese projects that reimagine rural landscapes, including a playground in Shandong province featuring 3D-printed boulders by Xisui Design and a hill-shaped timber viewpoint in Chengdu by MVRDV. As China continues to expand its cultural tourism sector, LuxeIsland Farm offers a model for how architecture can facilitate meaningful interactions between visitors, animals, and the natural environment while respecting local ecological systems.
