Mengwu Visitor & Leisure Center

The Mengwu Visitor Center, located in Mengwu Town within Beijing’s Mentougou District, serves as the central architectural icon for an emerging prototype community situated at the foothills of the Fragrant Mountains. Prominently positioned atop a bluff, this landmark building integrates seamlessly into the mountainous landscape and is designed to accommodate exhibitions, interactive theater spaces, offices, retail, and a cafe.

The Center is defined by its dramatic folded roof structure, inspired by the region's mountainous terrain. The roof slopes dynamically, framing panoramic views through glazed curtain walls, and is supported by elegant splayed timber columns reminiscent of the surrounding orchard trees. Interior spaces feature a 3D timber ceiling lattice integrated with slender trusses that reference natural tree canopies.

StructureCraft led the structural design in close collaboration with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. A folded nail-laminated timber roof system is reinforced with glulam truss chords and strategically placed steel strong backs. The project was brought all the way to fabrication (including glulam columns and trusses), but due to financial issues it was put on hold and never built.

Our team also performed rigorous material testing, including adhesive shear capacity and screw withdrawal strength tests.