The design brief called for a self-sufficient and comprehensive European style development attractive to new middle class families in South China desirous of country living yet maintaining a western living style. The development has a fairly high density consisting of a total of 1,100 units comprising row houses, low and medium rise apartments, detached and semi-detached houses, mansions and a serviced apartments building, with a residents’ clubhouse, shops and commercial premises to support the residential households. The master planning dynamics include artificial waterways and serpentine roadways meandering through the development that act as integral elements towards creating an indefinite vista, opening up space between rows of closely situated houses within the high-density development.

A linear landscaped promenade

addresses the riverfront and borrows from the natural waterscape, bringing its essence into the development. Living areas open to a sun portal topped with brise soleil in the back yard, which is connected to the wash-grano finished walkway resembling a ‘九曲橋’ winding bridge in traditional Chinese garden design. The design of a wind tower is adopted and placed over the internal staircase providing natural ventilation and sunlight, completing the house design with a unique feature.

While western style houses meet the needs of modern day living, the incorporation of a Chinese garden design blends in a subtle way to continue the treasures of traditional Chinese architecture and echo with the vernacular natural context. The seamless co-existence of the two in this development demonstrates the possibility of a western housing design in the countryside of Mainland China.

Residential

220,000 Sqm

ZhongShan, China

Completed 2008