© Simon Menges
- Architects: David Chipperfield Architects
- Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Design: Mark Randel – Partner
- Project Management: Libin Chen – Partner
- Project Architects: Ilona Priwitzer, Manh Kinh Tran, Sascha Jung, Samson Adjei
- Area: 11800.0 sqm
- Project Year: 2015
- Photographs: Simon Menges
- Contact Architect: ECADI (East China Architecture and Design Institute)
- Landscape Architect: Belt & Collins
- Structural Engineer: ECADI
- Services Engineer: ECADI
- Project Managements: Hangzhou Westbrook Investment Co. Ltd
- Client: Hangzhou Westbrook Investment Co. Ltd.
© Simon Menges
From the architect. Xixi, a national wetland park located on the outskirts of Hangzhou, is a built landscape and an area of nature, which has been shaped by man for over a thousand years. The omnipresent relationship between landscape, architecture, and water is key to the atmosphere in Xixi. This atmosphere has been integrated into a new development of apartment buildings.
© Simon Menges
Master Plan
© Simon Menges
The apartment buildings are surrounded by a water garden, which, as a reference to the wetland park, is a mostly wild landscape. In contrast to these green surroundings, the buildings appear as dark stone volumes embedded in the water garden. They are, as is typical for villages in Xixi, placed on a stone plinth that sits in the water.
© Simon Menges
Floor Plan
© Simon Menges
This plinth forms the base of a village group with various levels, walls, and balustrades creating a sequence of exterior spaces, which enable access to the buildings. The interiors are characterised by floating spaces. Room height windows allow for natural light and views over the water garden.
© Simon Menges
