A Corner of the Mountain

The goal of the landscape redesign was to break away from the rigid, outdated neo-Chinese style and axial layout, creating an immersive mountain-forest experience in the urban setting that allows people to escape the hustle and bustle and return to nature.

Through the combination of 22 black pines with varied shapes and cloud-like ground cover, the front courtyard's terrain has been completely transformed. Well-proportioned plant groups guide visitors along a leisurely path, with the visual focus shifting between solid and void elements to create a dynamic experience where the scenery changes with every step. The original substantial water feature at the entrance has been replaced by layered water features, while the previous enclosed wall has been redesigned as a semi-transparent structure that eliminates stiffness and further enhances immersion and the overall garden experience.

Upon entering the rear area, the plum grove takes center stage, with Chinese tallow trees and cherry blossoms planted in layered arrangements. The exterior features a double-curved paving surface made of Shanxi black stone, meticulously replicating the natural texture of rock walls to create an atmosphere of being embraced by mountains. Mirror-polished black stone serves as seating surfaces that meander like streams through the space; the interplay of mountains and water complements each other, evoking a sense of natural immersion and relaxation while strolling through the landscape.

Almost every step involved unique and innovative adjustments, turning constraints into features. Through the flexible use of plant infiltration, unconventional materials, and construction techniques, the once rigid spaces were activated one by one. In a cost-effective and efficient manner, this project sets a benchmark for landscape transformation in urban existing real estate projects.