Wuxi Yan Wei Shan Zhuang Housing Project
Location
Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, China
Cost
AUD $50M
This exciting project in Wuxi City, China, involved designing a modern, refined set of houses that were appropriate for the varied landscapes; flat, hill and hillside. The flat land has a canal system forming a series of waterways; each house has been located to a suitable orientation and view of the canal system or Lake Tahui. The site is a natural orchard of Yamei, an indigenous fruit tree unique to the area, historically listed and protected by the local Chinese government.
The house sizes range from 350sqm to 850sqm and command three distinct areas of the site. The canal houses occupy the flat land and afford views of the waterways and the lake. The first part of the hill is the site for 30 hillside houses with clear views over the rooftops of the lake beyond. As you drive to the top of the site a road connects 5 large villas. These Hilltop houses are five more remote villas, equipped with external terraces, decks, and swimming pools and luxurious living areas.
Also on the site is a private members club with facilities including; an Indonesian Spa, restaurants, café, floodlit tennis court, and swimming pool. The landscape walking tracks throughout the site add a recreational quality to this already beautiful landscape with journeys through Yamei Orchard, along canal edges and over timber bridges.
The project represents a strong architecture which nestles itself harmoniously within the delicate nature of the Chinese orchards and natural landscape.
It provides a place of tranquillity and modern living in an environment, which has allowed a subtle, sensitive modern incision of architectural form and materials blending to surprise and intrigue those who venture within.
