Development of Suzhou 2017-WG-47 Plot by China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) Co., Ltd. | International Residential Architecture Awards 2020

China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) Co., Ltd.: Winner of International Residential Architecture Awards 2020. The project is in the center of Suzhou’s old town. To its south lies the renowned and representative Jiangnan classical garden, the Humble Administrator’s Garden. Its north is connected to a river and in its west sits the North Temple Pagoda. Thus, it enjoys an excellent location. Since the plot belongs to the key protected area of the cityscape, it will have a great influence on the construction and development of Suzhou’s old town.

The design aims to find out a new form of Jiangnan garden architecture that conforms to modern aesthetic taste, technical characteristics and spiritual core through arranging and analyzing the traditional ones.

Drawing on the essence of Suzhou Gardens’ layout design, it emphasizes a free-flowing courtyard and the utilization and extension of the interior and exterior spaces. The house layout is evolving toward intensiveness and efficiency. The key is to create a space within limited area where people can live, play and appreciate by learning from the space organization method of the Suzhou Gardens.

It adopts the core of Jiangnan architectural culture in modelling design. Every component of the building is going to be split, arranged and selected. The interaction between architecture and garden is also valued. Traditional and modern materials are reasonably matched to show the modern Zen spirit in landscape design.

The project acts as the pioneer in China that transforms the traditional Chinese-style villa into the innovative Chinese-style one. All facade components are upgraded from traditional wood to aluminum alloy components. The traditional small gray-tile roofing is replaced with titanium zinc plates but still keeps the original style. The challenge is that it has a long R&D period with high cost.

The construction of the plot shows the designer’s memory about the ancient city, and is a heritage of history and culture. The design combines traditional and modern methods to renovate the nearly failing old town of Suzhou.


Winner: International Residential Architecture Awards 2020 


Firm: China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) Co., Ltd.
Architects: Jiang Yu
Category: Housing Upto 5 Floors Concept
Project Location: Suzhou
Team: Client: China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) Co., Ltd. ; Design company: gad ; Chief designer: Jiang Yu
Country: China
Photography ©Credit: GAD

China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) Co., Ltd. With a great visionary of urban development, China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) was established in 2016, coordinating Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu regions. By March 2019, it has delivered 35 projects in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai, covering 10 cities (Hangzhou, Ningbo, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, Huzhou (Zhejiang), Nanjing, Suzhou, Xuzhou, Changzhou (Jiangsu), Shanghai).

In order to provide better services for high-end clients and satisfy different spiritual demands of different levels, China Railway Construction Real Estate Group (East China) has created three high-end projects featuring Jiangnan-style architecture: Jiangnan Courtyard –Classical collection, Elegant Mansion – Artful masterpiece, Resort Courtyard – Secluded wonderland.

IRA 2021