Treehouses as Companions to Birds in Wiki World’s Forest Retreat
Merryda Wiki World – Secret Camp is a forest retreat developed by United Investment Merryda Hotel Management Group in collaboration with Wiki World, located on Cihui Street in Dongxihu District, Wuhan. Set within a metasequoia forest frequented by migratory birds, the project features over a dozen treehouses positioned carefully among the trees. Designed as part of Wiki World’s Wiki Building School initiative, the project explores new forms of habitation that engage directly with the natural environment.
Inspired by local birds, seeds, and natural forms, the design seeks to integrate the treehouses into their surroundings. Each structure, named Time Machine, Nomadic Land, Playground, Daydreamer, Red Windmill, and Unicorn, interprets elements of the forest ecosystem through form and material. All existing trees were preserved, and the cabins are built on fully elevated prefabricated timber structures to minimize site disturbance. The ground remains unpaved, maintaining the forest’s natural ecology. The project includes participatory features such as Letters from Birds and the Evolution of Birds exhibition, encouraging visitors to engage with the forest environment and learn about local species. A small birdhouse-making activity further connects users to the theme of coexistence between humans and wildlife.
all images by Arch-Exist
Wiki World’s cabin Cluster Blends Art, Architecture, and Ecology
Each treehouse presents a unique spatial and conceptual response to the forest context. Nomadic Land translates the idea of temporary settlement into a compact, self-contained dwelling. Time Machine, finished in reflective silver, introduces a futuristic contrast to the natural setting. Playground recalls childhood imagination through playful circulation and interaction with the trees. Daydream uses mirrored metal cladding to reflect the forest, blending the structure into its surroundings. Red Windmill employs a vibrant red palette, standing out as a visual marker within the canopy. Unicorn features a vertical loft form, clad in silver panels that reference mythical symbolism. Together, these structures form a network of elevated dwellings that reinterpret the idea of living among trees through material and spatial experimentation.
The retreat, conceived by Hubei-based firm Wiki World, functions as both an accommodation site and an open forest art gallery. Temporary installations, exhibitions, and workshops are hosted throughout the year, emphasizing collaborative creation and environmental awareness. The Forest Reception serves as a hub for creative projects and eco-friendly design experiments, including the production of bird-inspired objects and natural material studies. The project also hosts the Wiki Building School Sino-French Construction Festival, which invites participants to explore sustainable construction and the concept of small-scale living in natural environments.
Prefabricated Timber Cabins Embrace Minimal, Low-Impact Living
In line with Wiki World’s philosophy of ‘Build Small, Dream Big,’ the design promotes a minimalist approach to habitation. Each cabin focuses on the relationship between human behavior and the surrounding environment, redefining comfort through proximity to nature. By minimizing scale, the architecture encourages sensory engagement.
All structures employ glued laminated timber systems, digitally modeled for precision and fully prefabricated for on-site assembly. The 2-meter-wide home concept reflects a flexible, modular approach to domestic space, allowing variation without compromising efficiency. Facades are clad in hand-fired carbonized wood panels, providing durability and a natural finish. Each cabin is elevated, avoiding ground contact and artificial landscaping. The modular timber components are connected through small metal joints, enabling disassembly and reuse. This approach ensures minimal impact on the existing forest ecosystem and supports Wiki World’s commitment to sustainable, low-impact building practices.
