Xixi Wetland Estate
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.
photograph by © 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.
photograph by © 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 characterized by floating spaces. Room height windows allow for natural light and views over the water garden.
photograph by © Simon Menges
Project Info
Architects : David Chipperfield Architects
Location : Zhejiang, China
Year : 2015
Type : Residential
Photographs : Simon Menges
