A Pavilion for Renewal: Canadian Wood in the Heart of Beijing
In the heart of Beijing’s historic Dongcheng District, a modest wooden pavilion stood out among glass, steel, and concrete. Built entirely of Canadian hemlock, the 40 square metre structure was the only all wood exhibit at the 2025 Beijing Urban Renewal Week.
Urban Renewal in a Post Boom China
After two decades of rapid real estate expansion, China’s property cycle has reached maturity. The focus of development is now turning from new construction to urban renewal. This new focus aims to revitalize existing neighbourhoods, improve livability, and reduce carbon emissions. In Beijing, where the central districts of Dongcheng and Xicheng are tasked with preserving centuries old architecture along the imperial axis, renewal is as much about cultural continuity as it is about climate performance.
Under this new paradigm, materials matter. Sustainably sourced wood offers both aesthetic warmth and environmental advantage. These qualities are making it an increasingly attractive option for forward looking developers and policymakers.
A Collaboration Rooted in Policy and Practice
Recognizing this shift, FII China and Canada Wood, has positioned wood construction as a natural fit for China’s dual carbon and high quality development goals. Working through the Beijing Urban Renewal Alliance, a platform initiated by China Construction Bank, the team engaged with public and private developers to explore how modern wood systems could support renewal priorities.
This engagement led to a partnership with Beijing Jingcheng Group, the state owned enterprise responsible for managing Dongcheng’s heritage housing and public buildings. Together with Jiangsu Qianshu Prefabricated Construction Co. Ltd. and Canada Wood, the partners designed and erected the Hemlock Pavilion, a demonstration of prefabrication, material efficiency, and reusability, all executed within the strict fire safety and planning rules of the capital.
The pavilion’s craftsmanship drew wide attention, including visits from senior officials such as Li Xiaolong, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development, and Mu Peng, Vice Mayor of Beijing. Following the exhibition, Dongcheng’s local government funded the pavilion’s partial reconstruction for its Urban Renewal Theme Day, underscoring its practical appeal.
Encouraged by the results, FII China and Jingcheng Group are now exploring long term cooperation, including potential pilot projects where Canadian wood systems could be applied in real renewal sites. A forthcoming technical salon, co hosted with the Beijing Urban Renewal Alliance, and a planned white paper titled Wood Solutions for Urban Renewal will help extend the discussion from architects to policymakers and investors.
