THE CITY ABOVE & THE FOREST BELOW A NATURAL HABITAT

The project is situated in the core area of Zhengzhou, China, adjacent to Zhengzhou East Railway Station to the north and bordering the Qili River to the south, offering convenient transportation and picturesque scenery. The main entrance is positioned on the western side, aligning with the tower layout to establish a sequence of courtyards that create a gradual transition between interior and exterior spaces with soft boundaries.
We have crafted a triple-courtyard system as a transition between the urban environment and the residential community. 1.The Entry Courtyard: Evokes the feeling of returning home. Drawing inspiration from hotel forecourts, this semi-enclosed drop-off loop courtyard is designed. 2.The Second Courtyard: A tranquil cloistered water courtyard that connects residents with nature and fosters a sense of calm. 3.The Sunken Courtyard: The largest in footprint, it offers expansive views and serves as a space for enjoying natural scenery, residential living, and social activities. A central axis water feature flows from the upper-level courtyard down into this sunken space, creating a continuous visual and experiential link.
The upper-level courtyards are connected by corridors, linking with the elevated pilotis level where community activities and social interaction occur. The northern zone accommodates functions like children's learning, crafts, and sports, while the southern zone provides amenities such as game rooms and convenience stores. A double-height library staircase leads down to the underground level. Various functional spaces surround the water courtyard underground, offering a library, water bar, gym, and other amenities. Grey spaces beneath eaves and corridors are utilized to create small outdoor communal areas. Extensive glazing throughout facilitates interaction between interior spaces and the external natural landscape, promoting harmonious coexistence between people and nature.
The building facade employs marble, patterned glass, and granite as primary materials, complemented by stainless steel and aluminum panels for detailed linear articulation. The stone cladding features contoured curved surfaces and textured finishes, imparting a more natural and tactile quality.