The landscape team at LWK + Partners has unveiled the concept designs for a series of landscaped areas encompassing Tianheng Bayview in Zhuahi, China. The goal for the team is to create a healthy and pleasant living environment for residents by focusing on five key aspects in the design: health and wellness, ecology, smart technology, culture and convenience.
“Sustainable urbanization hinges on finding balance between people, architecture and nature,” said the firm’s Director and head of Landscape Team Paul Wong, “We started off by understanding the site and its ambient urban ecology, and arrived at a final scheme that respects and embraces nature.”
Weaving Sunlight and Water into a Sanctuary
The landscaped areas are designed along a five-point spatial succession “Gate-Hall-Garden-House-Pond,” with the garden acting as the central focus. The main entrance is styled with layers of sleek white landscape walls and a pair of inkstone-like pools on both sides. A tree grows through a hollowed roof allowing sunlight to sift through while providing cool shades for inhabitants.
Through this entrance, a green promenade spreads out leading walkers on a spiraling route towards the heart of the garden where a massive light well resides. Surrounded by transparent glass with a waterfall on the east side, this circular sunken plaza creates an artful, secluded space for inhabitants to escape from the hustle, becoming the project’s ‘spiritual fortress’.
Crowning the site are views of a 108-meter-long infinity pool that offers mesmerizing views of the ocean while the sound of falling water acts as a natural curtain for urban noise. Owing to the site’s coastal proximity, water features such as this play heavily into the design, provoking interesting journeys for returning residents and respite-seeking members of the public alike.
A Holistic Approach to Conservation
The designers took special consideration with the unique demands of the region when designing for sustainability. Keeping in line with the site’s location and connection to water, great consideration was taken with regards to water conservation.
Sustainable materials are adopted along with a sponge city design and porous pavement. Runoffs are captured through the lawns and rain gardens. The drainage system has even been built specifically for resilience against typhoons, seawater intrusion and waterlogging, as, like traditional
The design also aims to break the site boundaries to become part of the beautiful scene of Tangjiawan while creating a cooling effect in summer.
Landscaping for Health and Safety
The design scheme strays away from setting rigid barriers with the residents. Instead, multi-level circulation systems and barrier-free efficiently separate cars and pedestrians while ensuring a safe and friendly community for all, including seniors, children and people with disabilities.
To create a healthy environment, the scheme also includes a landscaped circular running track, a fitness center, an infinity pool, a fitness and recreational area for children and the elderly and a wellness-themed tea garden. There are also spaces for sports, tea culture and chess culture in the porches to bring about a healthy, active community.
