Think on site, trying to create pleasant landscapes that can heal both body and mind
The Willow Shores is ideally located in Kunming of Yunnan, a city blessed with a warm climate as well as profound local culture. The site was originally a green belt with trees flourishing around, providing great advantages for the landscape design.
Back to the project, what matters most is how to make full use of the site based on the thorough analysis and understanding of it. If landscape is the combination of space and culture, we should neither underestimate nor overestimate its spatial attribute. Instead, we decide to create a space atmosphere where visitors can get involved and have a unique experience.
Employing the space structure of typical Yunnan houses, the designers create a courtyard where light of the plateau interacts with the space, creating a unique visual effect. Here, plants are flourishing beyond our expectation. Pleasant climate as well as the special light and shadow effect brings a unique experience for this relatively confined space.
Start with a wood
As the interface between the Willow Shores and the city, the entrance space shows itself in an informal way. A wood of preserved trees keeps the warmth of the site; bushes are partly cleared, allowing people to walk under the trees. Sheltered by the wood, the light here is gentle, which pulls people back from the hustle and bustle, and allows them to relax their body and mind.
It is common that landscape usually appears in a natural way. However, the designers find and introduce some easily-ignored elements, creating a brand new and appealing space form.
Explore the change of spaces while walking
Walking up by steps, you can find the corridor covered with slope roof and the hallway decorated by metal mesh. Change of spaces is full of fun, integrating the indoor and outdoor experiences.
Then comes the courtyard, where enclosed structure shapes an atmosphere of simplicity and tranquility. Artificial height differences are created, and trees and plants are well arranged, making the space comfortable and full of vitality.
Perhaps it is the change of spaces that encourages the interaction between the site, the light, the plants, the materials and people. All these designs aim to inherit the tradition, explore its future and make the space inviting.
Unique environment allows people to enjoy songs of the birds and quietness of the mountain
Inside the courtyard, the red gravels will remind people of the red soil in Yunnan; its flowing form creates a unique visual effect. Sitting here, you will have a different way to experience nature and feel the inner peace and satisfaction. It also offers an impression of Yunnan.
Outside the wall are the well-preserved trees which serve as the background and dialogue with 16 newly-planted hackberry trees. Moss-covered gentle slope and an elevated square pond (15cm higher than the surroundings) bring peace and tranquility, which allow people to think beyond the courtyard.
The landscape reflected on the mirror water reminds people of the pond in the painting of Ni Zan (a famous Chinese painter). When the wind blows, gleaming ripples will cut the pond’s surface, making it the focus of the whole space.
Conclusion
Landscape design is not only an issue of aesthetics but involves deep feelings and experiences about the space. Based on the theme of “healing”, we introduced local elements into the design and showed great respect for the site and the landscape.
