Old Summer Palace One

The Old Summer Palace One project sits 800 meters north of Beijing's Yuanmingyuan Park, nestled within the Three Mountains and Five Gardens Greenway and Hadian District’s Zhongguancun, often referred to as China’s Silicon Valley, where culture and technology converge. The original concept behind the design was to create a residence within the mountain gardens, paying homage to Beijing's century-old tradition of mountainous retreats. This reverence for nature was woven into every aspect of the design process, from site selection and modelling to landscaping and construction. After numerous simulations and comparisons, considering factors such as sunlight exposure, unit width, landscape resources, and land value, the plan opted to enclose the area with slab buildings along the north and south sides. This arrangement emphasizes a north-south axis, originating from the southern entrance. The central garden axis, stretching 170 meters long and comprising three courtyard sections, expands the central garden, creating a serene atmosphere. By differentiating the main axis facing south and the secondary axis facing north, the buildings seamlessly blend into the garden environment. Inspired by ancient Chinese architectural wisdom found in texts like "Yingzao Fashi," the facade design meticulously refines traditional roof techniques. At the same time, modern materials such as stone and glass are used to craft an elegant and transparent architectural volume, delicately poised as if floating above the forest canopy.