Shanyuhu ·Sky honor

Located in Lishui Town, Foshan, the project faced a dual challenge: a high retaining wall severing the site from the surrounding forest, and limited public space. Centered on the concept of "bringing the forest into the site," the design transforms these constraints into driving forces through four strategies: connecting the retaining wall with tiered landscaping and integrating large trees with the forest; breaking boundaries through sunken areas and cantilevered structures; screening unsightly views with vegetation and walls; and creating a seamless flow between elevated open spaces and the outdoors.

By "creating a mountain" within the city and leveraging the site's elevation changes, the design crafts intimate, mountain-style courtyards. A spatial narrative—encompassing "seeing," "wandering," and "gazing at" the mountain—links three distinct courtyard zones: a premium arrival area, a forest-living zone, and a mountain-character area, ultimately forming a "mountain living room" where one can admire the peaks and listen to the water. The material palette—combining natural stone, woodwork, and textured finishes—embraces the patina of time, allowing the architecture to become part of the natural landscape.

Transcending mere formal innovation, the project addresses the urban dweller's deep longing for a slower pace of life. It translates the Lingnan philosophy of "living alongside nature" into a contemporary spatial experience, demonstrating that—even under challenging conditions—cultural insight and precise strategies can create a spiritual mountain sanctuary where modern people can find peace for both body and mind.