Demonstration Zone of Shangshu Yipin Dongyuan

Located in Shenqiu, Henan Province, this project breaks away from the planar constraints of traditional residential landscape design. Leveraging the site’s natural elevation changes, the design constructs a canyon-like topography, introducing an immersive canyon experience into the community through an approximately 8,000-square-meter central landscape axis and a 1,000-square-meter sunken courtyard. Guided by the narrative theme of "Exploring the Valley, Reaching Far, Traversing the Mountains, Advancing the Self," the design integrates canyon aesthetics, mountain spirit, and courtyard living, embodying the ideal of "encountering wilderness in the city, and returning to life in the wilderness."

In the "Exploring the Valley, Reaching Far" section, the design creates an immersive natural theater. Through landform sculpting, water features, rock arrangements, and canyon-like woodlands, natural motifs such as light corridors, grottoes, wind valleys, and sky pools are artfully embedded along the circulation paths, forming a winding, secluded quasi-natural canyon. Water, stone, and woods together define the spatial character: water flows through varied forms like streams, brooks, and waterfalls; the canyon transitions through open, narrow, and layered sections; and the banks are planted with seasonal foliage species, replicating a complete canyon experience from foot to peak, making "living within nature" a daily reality.

The "Traversing the Mountains, Advancing the Self" segment emphasizes the fusion of spiritual belonging and everyday vitality. Shifting from the canyon's rugged drama to the mountain’s majestic presence, the design uses elements such as winding streams, sacred trees, cliffs, and cloud forests to craft a spiritual highland that inspires awe. Meanwhile, throughout the broader community, courtyard living is revived, enhanced by natural phenomena like morning mist and winter snow, creating ever-changing seasonal gardens. The spatial structure flows cohesively: centered around "Delving into the Grotto," it extends into a north-south canyon water vein and an east-west mountain ridge, connecting movement axes between residences and forest walking paths, and ultimately converging into the "Four Courtyards of Everyday Life." This spatial sequence guides residents from the urban realm into the wild, from noise to inner quietude, allowing them to rediscover life's essence in nature.