CITY CENTURY

Located in the Xihongmen East district of Beijing's Daxing area, the project takes "modern form, Eastern essence" as its core concept. Drawing on the artistic mood of Wu Guanzhong's paintings and translating the traditional forms of Beijing's colored glass and princely gardens, it applies the idea of "a painted realm within the garden" to create a cultural dwelling community that balances artistic refinement with everyday warmth.

The project establishes a spatial framework of "two axes, six scenes," linking six themed nodes to create a homecoming experience of "a garden of ease, walking within a painting." The main entrance adopts a hotel-style ceremonial layout, using the site's level changes to shape formal steps. Custom art sculptures and semi-transparent metal cascades echo century-old boxwood rootstock, paired with marble planters and custom-patterned paving. Within a rhythm of "stillness—movement—stillness," the approach unfolds a sense of honor and artistic presence.

The sunken courtyard draws inspiration from Wu Guanzhong's Flying Waterfall. A 12-metre waterfall curtain combines 3D-printed art panels with glass, a collision of traditional ink-wash sensibility and contemporary craft. A colored-glass bridge serves as the visual centerpiece, while trident maple, Japanese maple, and Chinese yew compose an autumnal painterly realm. The sound of flowing water becomes auditory healing, a spiritual landmark at the garden's entry. The northern core water courtyard takes its cue from Water, People, Home. Its balanced still-and-moving water features, paired with Brazilian snow-mountain blue luxury stone, elevate the site's material quality. A grey-space pergola breaks the indoor-outdoor boundary, hosting everything from solitary sitting to family gatherings, a central oasis for the community.

North and south, the grounds distribute a spring cherry blossom realm and an autumn maple reception area, balancing the functional layout. An age-differentiated forest children's playground covers play needs across generations.