In the commercial atrium of THE RING · GARDEN CITY in Yubei, Chongqing, XISUI Design has created a massive 20-meter-high installation, the "Wonder Tree," which spans four floors. The design blends steam machinery with a natural botanical garden, allowing people to move up and down through the space, experiencing the awe-inspiring vitality of the symbiotic fusion between human technological development and nature.

01 Design Origin
In early 2022, XISUI Design received a design bid invitation from Hongkong Land in partnership with China Merchants Shekou. The task was to create a large, interactive installation for the four-story-high commercial atrium space in THE RING · GARDEN CITY, Yubei—a "Wonder Tree" fusing steampunk and naturalist styles.

The master spatial planning and landscape design were led by WTD GROUP, which was responsible for the entire site's foundational landscape concept through to construction documents, including overall planting design, the underwater forest scheme, climbing wall design, and coordination of related disciplines. WTD GROUP also defined the theme and stylistic direction for the space's centerpiece installation:

"A Wonder Tree in an enchanted forest, surrounded by mechanical creatures, embodying a steampunk aesthetic."

The XISUI design team engaged on this basis, taking the baton to lead the subsequent design and development work for the overall Wonder Tree installation. Confronted with such a project brief, brimming with fantastical tension and demanding monumental construction effort, the designers embarked on a three-and-a-half-year journey, undertaking work that far exceeded the scope of the following aspects:

1. Re-envisioning and sculpting the visual design of the Wonder Tree.
2. Conducting in-depth research on the Steam Age to develop a coherent worldview and inform design details.
3. Conceiving and designing two major exploration systems: the Earth Purification Plan and the Gene Storage Plan.
4. Studying botanical growth logic—such as branch tapering principles, bifurcation angle attenuation, the influence of sunlight and gravity on form, and the growth patterns of ancient trees—to ensure realism.
5. Collaborating with structural consultants on extensive form-and-force integration studies, designing numerous proprietary structural connections.
6. Designing several key mechanical creatures, integrating them as essential, interactive elements within the space.
7. Coordinating with MEP, lighting, and horticultural specialists to develop a detailed digital model for precise construction guidance.
8. Executing meticulous detail design: discreet placement of 3D planting containers, aesthetic integration of functional equipment (grow lights, fans, LED strips), custom handrail and planter design, and seamlessly incorporating safety signage and maintenance access.
9. Producing the complete set of construction drawings for the Wonder Tree.

02 Background Narrative
The steampunk era originated after the First Industrial Revolution, a time when human labor was largely replaced by steam power and machinery. It was a historically vibrant period of great productivity development in human history. This stands in stark contrast to the styles that emerged in the late Industrial Revolution, which were applied to warfare and evolved into post-apocalyptic machinery. In an era of rapid technological innovation, humanity was filled with hope and anticipation for a happy future. Therefore, the World Tree is set in this historical period, echoing a key era in the development of human civilization—one brimming with idealism and vigorous life force.

As humanity has recurrently acquired transformative power throughout history, how should it dialogue with nature, with history, and with other lifeforms that have existed for millennia? This timeless question remains relevant today. Nature's power is vast; all human achievements pale in comparison to the cosmos, often resembling a child's first steps. Through the Wonder Tree, we explore an idealized vision: the Tree helps purify the land, while humanity, wielding technology for good, bestows upon it mechanical enhancements, enabling it to rise and traverse the earth, bringing renewal to different regions. Can human civilization and the natural world achieve a sustainable, symbiotic coexistence?

03 Gene Storage Plan
Seed Museum
The entrance on the first level presents as a cavernous doorway where metal machinery intertwines organically with gnarled roots. Inside, this space is narratively the Wonder Tree's energy core. To perpetuate Earth's ecology, the Tree collects and preserves countless plant seeds, using its own sap-energy to maintain an ideal storage environment. THE RING · GARDEN CITY partnered with the Chongqing Natural History Museum on this real-world initiative. Over six months, expeditions to Heilongjiang, Ningxia, the Greater Khingan Mountains, and Xishuangbanna collected hundreds of rare seed species. These are displayed interactively, allowing visitors to observe and learn about these precious genetic legacies up close.

Interaction: Visitors operate a touchscreen to select seed names from various natural habitats. A screen above then plays an educational video about the chosen seed. Simultaneously, the slowly rotating "Seed Preservation Vessels" on either side pause, aligning the selected seed with the viewer under a single, spotlighting beam.

Gene Cabin
The second-level interior is conceived as a sealed laboratory where seeds are cultivated. Some germinate here under controlled conditions, simulating experiments for nurturing fragile life in extreme climates. This level also corresponds to the external visual focal point—the "World Eye." Staircases converge here, creating sightlines and kinetic interaction between people inside and outside the installation through this aperture, deepening immersion.

Eden of Lives
The third level, nestled in the canopy, features a relatively large activity platform and planting area. Germinated seeds acclimatize here in a semi-exposed environment. The underlying narrative suggests that wisely applied technology can improve shared habitats and protect biodiversity. Contemporary scientific models in China, such as combining photovoltaics with agriculture in desertification control, tangibly reflect this potential.

04 Earth Purification Plan
During intensive design development, the film "The Wandering Earth 2" premiered, its meticulous scene design leaving a profound impression. If a fleeting cinematic shot requires such rigorous detail, how much more does a permanent, large-scale installation destined for public interaction? Thus, every mechanical component on the Wonder Tree was assigned a plausible function within its narrative world.

Water Purification System
A semi-mechanical root extending into the water contains an engaging display illustrating a basic purification process. The Tree draws polluted water through suction cups on this root. Using centrifugal force, it separates out sediment and large particles. Subsequent steps involve mechanical filtration and constant-temperature heating to create ideal conditions for microbial purification. After treatment in a biological filtration chamber at the root joint, metabolic byproducts return to the earth as fertilizer. The purified water is aerated and sterilized, stored in base tanks, eventually merging with the Tree's sap and flowing out from the "World Eye" waterfall, completing the ecological cycle.

Interaction: Touchscreens below the root allow visitors to trigger mechanical animations. Selecting the "Sludge Centrifuge" icon sets it spinning; choosing the "Bio-filter" activates bubbling and colored lighting; triggering the "Ozone Sterilizer" produces a mist effect—creating educational and engaging interactions.

Air Purification System
The atrium requires multiple axial fans on the Tree to enhance air circulation, benefiting both the environment and plant health by aiding soil moisture evaporation. These essential fans, along with grow lights and architectural lighting, needed stylistically integration.

The design team incorporated them into a unified "Air Purification System" narrative. A network of pipes and housings within the tree trunk contains intakes, pressure gauges, indicator lights, and vent valves. This sprawling mechanical network continues the steampunk aesthetic while providing concealed pathways for actual electrical and water conduits.

05 Mechanical Magical Installations
Snail
This 5-meter-tall installation takes the form of a giant snail, its shell incorporating design elements from industrial spiral turbines. The mechanics of its muscular foot are reimagined as tank-like treads. Narrated as a “Transport Escort” due to its shell, it is equipped with rocket boosters and aviator-style gear including a windproof cap, mask, and goggles—creating an amusing contrast with its classic snail form.

The mechanical snail also functions as an interactive play installation for children. They can ascend a dedicated spiral staircase to enter the shell, peer out through a periscope, and then slide down a cylindrical tube, forming an enclosed and easily supervised play circuit. The snail’s head and antennae extend from the inside of the main staircase, creating a whimsical dialogue with visitors ascending and descending.

Dragonfly
The mechanical dragonfly installation is characterized as a maintenance worker, though it appears solo in this setting. It carries a tool pack on its back, and its goggles reflect the insect’s distinctive compound eye structure. Its wings, fabricated from translucent colored material, introduce a vibrant accent to the predominantly metallic color palette.

Loong
The Loong Guardian installation coils around the tree, serving as a protector of the Wonder Tree and its inhabitants. Functionally, the Loong’s body forms the outer railing and shielding for the third-floor viewing walkway. Its design draws inspiration from ancient Loong totem murals, with its scaly texture achieved through the interlocking of metal plates. Circular viewports are integrated, allowing children to safely observe the surroundings.

Divine Bird
This installation, themed as a scout on the Wonder Tree, is responsible for information relay and environmental reconnaissance. Its appearance is modeled after the Qing Luan, a divine bird from Eastern mythology. The design was further developed and fabricated by a specialized studio, resulting in a final installation reaching 6 meters in total height.

The mechanical installations are a vital component of the spatial narrative. XISUI’s designers underwent numerous iterations from initial concept and aesthetic development to functional integration. The final detailing, engineering, and fabrication were handled by professional studios, which expanded the collection of mechanical lifeforms, elevating the scene’s fantastical and interactive qualities to new heights.

06 Other Detailed Specialties
Structural System
The Tree's structure is integral to its design. Structural consultant LuAnLu Partner was involved from the outset. The system comprises:
① Core Column: Central, hidden within the "Energy Core" and Seed Museum.
② Mechanical Roots: Radiating from the core for primary support and balance.
③ Aerial Roots: Inspired by banyan trees, supporting the sprawling canopy and heavy attachments.
④ Suspension Cables: Utilizing overhead beams to suspend outer branches, minimizing ground supports.

For prefabrication and steampunk aesthetic, custom connections were designed: large flanges for on-site assembly, specialized bifurcation joints, and stylized "Gatling" nodes for transitions. Steel structure detailing and construction were executed by Roboticplus TECH, whose digital fabrication expertise ensured precision and safety.

The branch network was algorithmically generated to mimic natural growth while meeting spatial and structural needs. Three standard branch/leaf cluster sizes were algorithmically placed to balance cantilevered loads. Materials were carefully selected for aesthetics and fire safety.

Safety & Railings
Elevated walkways are lined with curved, outwardly convex metal mesh barriers. The form echoes organic branches, while the convex shape offers shorter children a better view through the mesh.

3D Planting System
The planting scheme required integrating maintenance, irrigation, and lighting. XISUI defined locations based on design. Shanghai Botanical Garden Green Engineering Co.,Ltd. advised on grow lights, irrigation, and airflow. WTD GROUP specified plants and designed irrigation.

Grow Lights
Custom-designed fixtures were created for different locations (crevices, planters), tailored to the light needs of specific plants.

Pavement
The flooring underwent multiple samples to achieve a forest-floor-like appearance. The final solution is an art concrete with a custom aggregate mix closely matching the desired color and texture.

Signage System
For a large interactive installation, clear safety and informational signage is crucial. A full set of signage was designed with cohesive colors and forms to minimize visual intrusion.

07 The Immersive Scenario in Commercial Space
Friends meeting up or classmates gathering seek a place with a sense of occasion, conversational value, and uniqueness to commemorate each significant encounter. Parents embarking on outings with children desire inclusive, green, artistic, beautiful, and fun quality experiences. This necessitates that the design of the spatial scenario itself be founded upon art and aesthetics—a haven that can be stepped into, explored, and interacted with, capable of nurturing delicate emotions. It must accommodate children's exploratory discovery and parent-child play, be worthy of marking another milestone for youths on their growing journey, offer adults a temporary escape from worldly cares, and allow the elderly to encounter familiar flowers, trees, and fish within the rapidly evolving urban landscape.

Simultaneously, through this, the underlying commercial entity communicates to the public its unwavering commitment to creating a high-quality green environment at all costs. This commitment benefits the community, creates advantageous conditions for tenants, and significantly elevates the brand's own prestige.

08 An Extraordinary Campaign Fought Side-by-Side by United Teams
Looking back on the three-and-a-half-year journey of bringing the Wonder Tree to life, this project stands as the most complex, effort-intensive, and meticulously detailed standalone installation that XISUI has ever spearheaded to completion. Our team underwent a metamorphosis, growing immensely through our client's steadfast trust and the relentless, detail-oriented process of refinement. What was particularly moving was that every single partner involved in this endeavor, including the client's own execution team, brought their utmost passion and professional excellence to the table. Together, we treated this fantastical, unconventional, and nearly boundless concept with the seriousness and dedication it deserved.

The design process was a testament to collaboration: the close partnership and fervent co-creation discussions with the WTD GROUP in Chongqing, where XISUI and WTD respectively took the lead on the two most comprehensive and complex components—the installation and the landscape; the invaluable support from our long-time structural engineering partners at LuAnLu, whose rigorous calculations confidently withstood the exacting review by the Chongqing Architectural Design Institute; the plant intelligence management system provided by the Shanghai Botanical Garden team, which guaranteed all conditions for the crucial living plants; the experts from the Chongqing Natural History Museum, whose extraordinary efforts across multiple provinces turned the seed education concept into a reality; the evocative nighttime lighting design by COPA Lighting Design; and the exquisite detailing and fabrication of the mechanical sculptures by Cinemorph Workshop, which elevated the entire scene's richness and completeness to a new level.

On the fabrication and construction front, the precise skeleton work by Roboticplus TECH, leveraging cutting-edge robotic fabrication, secured the critical first phase. The NOMURA team then applied their vast experience from Disney projects to master the immense challenge of fabricating and installing the remainder of the Tree, tackling countless metalwork details and the highly realistic cement-sculpted bark with unparalleled skill. Many other teams, even if our paths did not cross directly, fought alongside us from their respective posts.

And finally, our admirable client team. In the face of such complexity and custom fabrication, they orchestrated the symphony of specialists with remarkable poise, tirelessly championing the design vision amidst massive real-world challenges. Their unwavering leadership was the central command that held the line and saw this dream through to its magnificent realization.