Wuxi Orient Bay

Located in the heartland of Jiangnan Region, China, the project carries waterland culture. Taking design inspiration from the famous Jichang Garden in Wuxi, it applies traditional garden creation approaches to architecture and maximizes the use of the site. Besides, it also draws on the traditional China architectural styles and elements and innovates through modern approaches. Based on the functional layout, the facades and components combine traditional fabric with new elements, incorporate local cultural characteristics and the iconic Neo-Chinese Style, and extract elements from Chinese poems, books, rites and music, in order to upgrade the courtyard scenes and create a poetic environment.

The overall landscape planning inherits the three-millennia-old Jiangnan garden creation wisdom, and absorbs the quintessence of the local Jichang Garden and street & lane culture, intending to create a contemporary destination with unique garden landscapes. Traditional techniques for stacking stones, designing water system, arranging plants, installing lattice windows and paving are adopted. The waterscape, lake pavilions, artificial hills, small bridges, and greenery are circuitously scattered within the whole garden. The half pavilion adopts Chinese classical mortise and tenon joint structures, which were made by experienced craftsmen. No single nail was used in the process of construction. The bottom and revetment of the 500-square-meter pool are mainly clad with environment-friendly bricks that mimic stone textures, complemented by black stones selected by old craftsmen.

The courtyard landscape well integrates with the Neo-Chinese-style buildings, to create a sense of ritual and convey a cultural ethos and spirit.

Meanwhile, the project utilizes bricks, paving materials and landscaping materials that are recycled from the discarded ceramic tiles, damaged bricks and abandoned concrete, to realize sustainability.