Shanghai PTArchitects: Winner of International Residential Architecture Awards 2024. The Donghu Jiuzhang Residential Development is strategically located at the heart of Wuhan’s Zhongbei Road and East Lake Green Corridor, approximately 800 meters from the East Lake Scenic Area and 600 meters from Shahu Lake. Surrounded by natural landscapes and urban greenways, the site boasts an exceptionally attractive ecological environment. The project covers a total site area of approximately 5.37 hectares, with a planned above-ground floor area of 217,000 square meters. The residential community is fully equipped with comprehensive facilities, including the Lakeview Art Center, a kindergarten, and a primary school.

The design fully integrates the site’s natural topography, leveraging its elevation changes to optimize building layout and height. The goal is to create a distinctive urban skyline stretching from Zhongbei Road to East Lake, showcasing both iconicity and modernity.

Design Concept

In adherence to urban planning requirements, the project incorporates an east-west pedestrian corridor no less than 15 meters wide. This corridor not only connects the residential area with the surrounding urban fabric but also establishes an open, vibrant public space. The corridor complements the layout of the Lakeview Art Center, which is positioned at the site’s highest point, serving as a visual focal point. Through its architectural language, the Art Center engages in dialogue with the natural landscape, instilling a sense of ceremony and belonging within the community.

The project site, a former industrial area, is rich in historical and cultural significance. The development aims to rejuvenate the site and preserve its heritage, transforming the Lakeview Art Center into a cultural landmark for the region. This space caters to the aspirations of an affluent demographic seeking quality and cultural ambiance.

Inspired by the natural beauty of light reflecting on the lake and the profound heritage of Eastern culture, the Lakeview Art Center employs spatial layering to create an immersive experience of “scenery evolving with each step.” Two central design metaphors—jade and a vessel—symbolize purity and the pursuit of distant horizons, respectively.

Beyond its role as a visual landmark, the Lakeview Art Center functions as a cultural hub. Its interior spaces include exhibition halls, art exchange areas, and community cultural activity spaces. The core concept is to narrate the “urban memory” through architecture, providing residents with a diverse cultural experience and establishing a modern urban spiritual sanctuary that integrates ecology, culture, and lifestyle.

Facade Design

The building facades embody a modern minimalist aesthetic, employing a combination of stone, glass, and metal detailing to highlight material layering and contemporary sophistication. The dignified and elegant proportions, combined with clean and streamlined forms, create a high-end residential image that balances aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Functional Layout and Planning

The overall residential layout has been meticulously planned from multiple dimensions, encompassing the pedestrian corridor, lake views, building spacing, and garden areas. The orientation of buildings on the east and west sides has been optimized to maximize the scenic value of East Lake and Shahu Lake. Meanwhile, the north-south axis employs a centrally symmetrical, dual-enclosure layout. This design, featuring maximum building spacing and a central landscape corridor, creates two themed gardens, enhancing privacy and comfort for residents. The southern garden covers an area of 18,000 square meters, while the northern garden spans 20,000 square meters.

Landscape Design

The landscape design adopts a “one axis, two corridors” terraced layout, offering a multi-seasonal, multi-layered experiential environment:

• One Axis: An urban central axis landscape corridor traversing the community from east to west, integrating the ecological views of East and Shahu Lakes.
• Two Corridors: Two mid-courtyard green corridors connecting the northern and southern residential clusters, creating a cohesive and private living environment.
• Six Themed Courtyards: Including the Club Courtyard, Serenity Garden, Guest Courtyard, Active Garden, Forest Stream Courtyard, and Shared Corridor, these spaces meet a variety of resident needs.
• All-Age Children’s Activity Areas: Both the northern and southern zones feature dedicated children’s activity areas, equipped with diverse facilities to cater to various age groups.

Hotel-Style Residential Flow The design introduces a hotel-style living experience, featuring a drop-off area, luxurious stone-clad entrance lobbies, sunken courtyards, multifunctional clubhouses, and central courtyard gardens. From visual aesthetics to functional flow, the project seeks to deliver an exceptional and comfortable sense of arrival and homecoming.

Project Details:-
Firm
Shanghai PTArchitects

Architect
Quincy Li

Project Name
Donghu Jiuzhang

Project Category
Residential Built

Team
Shanghai PTArchitects

Project Location
Wuhan

Country
China

Photography ©Credit
Archi-translator Studio