GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Weiyang Impression is a mixed residential project that introduces the charm of nature into the urban living environment. It provides a cozy atmosphere where residents can live with nature and enjoy the sanctuary for a high quality of Living With Nature experience.

SITE CHARACTER & ANALYSIS

The city of Xi’an is situated in the valley of the Qinling Mountains that makes the summer hot andhumid due to the summer monsoon climate,while in winter is cold and dry. Weiyang Impression is adjacent tothe Weiyang Lake, just across the Huanhu West Road, which is a typical Chinese urban street. On the eastern side of the site will be high rise condominium buildings and central courtyard; while on the western part of the plot will below density villas. Since the relatively flat topography of the site and low building height, most of the residents will not be able to see the Weiyang Lake everyday despite the short distance to the lake.

DESIGN CRITERIA & CONCEPT

Due to the summer monsoon and drywinter climate, a pond is essential to balance the weather conditions and provide a more comfortable living space. Employing the benefits of the WeiyangLake, we have come up with the concept — To Introduce Nature to the Peopleand the Site to maximize the quality of the living environment. Using the idea of “borrow the lake and the water flow” into the project,natural landforms will be created inside the project similar to a rivermeandering along the land to create valleys and ridges. Therefore, the waterflow will shape up the essential elements of the landscape.

The shapes of the pond at thecentral courtyard will be carved by the blending of organic elements and the rigid form of existing plot of land and space among the buildings. Eventually,curvilinear spaces will be formed when the intersected spaces are extracted. Welet nature takes the lead and shapes the landscape. The curvilinear graphical representation for this project will look futuristic, yet remain a timeless piece of design as years pass by.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN &PROGRAMMES

Multifunctional space will occupy aspecific dimension of outdoor room. Hence, a meticulous arrangement of rooms with different programs will be in spatialorganization as outdoor gallery. Consequently, these outdoor gallery spaceswill be reshaped by a complete circulation, creating varied visual effects androoms for different activities.

The entire landscape will be divided into five major rooms, including Main Entrance and Drop Off, CentralCourtyard, Courtyard Corridor & Walkway, Villa Area, and Sub Entrance. Each of them has particular relationship to the essence of water:

Main Entrance and Drop Off — WaterDroplet

We consider the main entrance anddrop off as one room. A long shallow water feature at the entrance leadspeople’s visual perception towards the center hanging sculpture at the dropoff. The form of the feature sculpture is inspired by the droplets of rain water, which drips from the top, and will gradually sprawl out to the other parts of the site.

Central Courtyard — Impression ofWeiyang Lake + The Breeze

The Weiyang Lake is borrowed into the courtyard landscape and become the center of a larger pond feature to collect runoff during rainy season. We have simplified the shape of the lakeand selected Celtis sinensis and Eriobotrya japonica as the major treespecies to provide shading. The feature water cascades vary along the pondedge, the variation creates patterns and rhythms of water flow, just like thewater elements found in nature. It provides moisture and soothing sound for the residents.

The breezy lake pavilion is thehighlight element of the courtyard landscape. The form of the sculpture represents the liquid status when water meets the breeze, and forms patterns of ripples on the water surface. During the day time,the shadow of the pavilion provides interesting effect on the paving, which varies along with the daylight and implying the seasonal changes all yearround. The pavilion is a sculpture and provides seating function at thesame time. The open roof pavilion structure is shaded by the fully grown tree sat the courtyard, which allows users to be underneath the natural roof.

The setting of the landscape is carefully arranged in every angle as a picturesque exhibition. Visitors will experience a unique connection with Weiyang Lake and nature when walking around the central courtyard.

Courtyard Corridor & Walkway—Flow of Water

The interweaving pattern between the pavers and the curb-less planting area along the EVA route helps receivewater runoff and directs water into the planting area. Given the constraint ofthe 4m wide EVA route circling the site, the interweaving paving has strategically soften the solid edge of materials by blending the pavers with the green. The walkways and corridors function more than circulation paths.They are also multifunctional connection hub which can accommodate the overflow circulation from the buildings and provide activity space, such as book corner,play area and sunken seat with fire pit.

Villa Area — The Fluidity of Water

Despite the rigid andlinear layout of the villa buildings, we have created a contrasting curvilinear walkways and planting areas to reinforce the atmosphere of a home sanctuary.When walking along these meandering paths, residents will be surrounded bydense plantation and not be exposed to the other end of the walkway immediately.Hence, giving a cozier and relaxing vibe for the residents as they approach thevillas.

Along the villa walkways will be some pocket seats at the junctions. Each of the pocket seats will have a specific theme related to the overall water, lake and planting material concept, and serving the residents as an intimate communal space for some passive activities. The form of water features with minimalusgae of water at these pocket space vary from waterfalls and cascades to small fountains and spring. The pleasant sound of water will accompany with theresidents at all time along their way home. Meanwhile, the colors of plantingspecies also vary in design. The planting at the pocket seats will gradually change from lush green to flowery species towards the resort like sub entrance area.

Sub Entrance — Modern Form of Lake

The sub entrance is the secondaryentrance to the property that is more intimate and gives the welcoming resort feeling, which combines with delightful colors of plants. Shallow water pondsand islands of green are delicately provided in this area to echo with themajor pond feature at the central courtyard to unite the entire project. Withthe glass lobby building overlooking at the pleasant landscape, the sub entrance will function as the second clubhouse of the property.

CONCLUSION

The entire project circles around the major theme of Weiyang Lake and forms of water. At places even water feature is not present, we take the liquidity form of water to remember theessence of life brought by this natural element, through its function, form,and texture. When water presents, it brings life and enhance the quality ofliving. Thus, the whole setting provides residents opportunities to enjoynature in every corner of the landscape and be part of nature at Weiyang Impression. All in all, the project is a pleasant home sanctuary to human beingwith high degree of freedom, safety and privacy.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Weiyang Impression is a mixed residential project that introduces the charm of nature into the urban living environment. It provides a cozy atmosphere where residents can live with nature and enjoy the sanctuary for a high quality of Living With Nature experience.

SITE CHARACTER & ANALYSIS

The city of Xi’an is situated in the valley of the Qinling Mountains that makes the summer hot andhumid due to the summer monsoon climate,while in winter is cold and dry. Weiyang Impression is adjacent tothe Weiyang Lake, just across the Huanhu West Road, which is a typical Chinese urban street. On the eastern side of the site will be high rise condominium buildings and central courtyard; while on the western part of the plot will below density villas. Since the relatively flat topography of the site and low building height, most of the residents will not be able to see the Weiyang Lake everyday despite the short distance to the lake.

DESIGN CRITERIA & CONCEPT

Due to the summer monsoon and drywinter climate, a pond is essential to balance the weather conditions and provide a more comfortable living space. Employing the benefits of the WeiyangLake, we have come up with the concept — To Introduce Nature to the Peopleand the Site to maximize the quality of the living environment. Using the idea of “borrow the lake and the water flow” into the project,natural landforms will be created inside the project similar to a rivermeandering along the land to create valleys and ridges. Therefore, the waterflow will shape up the essential elements of the landscape.

The shapes of the pond at thecentral courtyard will be carved by the blending of organic elements and the rigid form of existing plot of land and space among the buildings. Eventually,curvilinear spaces will be formed when the intersected spaces are extracted. Welet nature takes the lead and shapes the landscape. The curvilinear graphical representation for this project will look futuristic, yet remain a timeless piece of design as years pass by.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN &PROGRAMMES

Multifunctional space will occupy aspecific dimension of outdoor room. Hence, a meticulous arrangement of rooms with different programs will be in spatialorganization as outdoor gallery. Consequently, these outdoor gallery spaceswill be reshaped by a complete circulation, creating varied visual effects androoms for different activities.

The entire landscape will be divided into five major rooms, including Main Entrance and Drop Off, CentralCourtyard, Courtyard Corridor & Walkway, Villa Area, and Sub Entrance. Each of them has particular relationship to the essence of water:

Main Entrance and Drop Off — WaterDroplet

We consider the main entrance anddrop off as one room. A long shallow water feature at the entrance leadspeople’s visual perception towards the center hanging sculpture at the dropoff. The form of the feature sculpture is inspired by the droplets of rain water, which drips from the top, and will gradually sprawl out to the other parts of the site.

Central Courtyard — Impression ofWeiyang Lake + The Breeze

The Weiyang Lake is borrowed into the courtyard landscape and become the center of a larger pond feature to collect runoff during rainy season. We have simplified the shape of the lakeand selected Celtis sinensis and Eriobotrya japonica as the major treespecies to provide shading. The feature water cascades vary along the pondedge, the variation creates patterns and rhythms of water flow, just like thewater elements found in nature. It provides moisture and soothing sound for the residents.

The breezy lake pavilion is thehighlight element of the courtyard landscape. The form of the sculpture represents the liquid status when water meets the breeze, and forms patterns of ripples on the water surface. During the day time,the shadow of the pavilion provides interesting effect on the paving, which varies along with the daylight and implying the seasonal changes all yearround. The pavilion is a sculpture and provides seating function at thesame time. The open roof pavilion structure is shaded by the fully grown tree sat the courtyard, which allows users to be underneath the natural roof.

The setting of the landscape is carefully arranged in every angle as a picturesque exhibition. Visitors will experience a unique connection with Weiyang Lake and nature when walking around the central courtyard.

Courtyard Corridor & Walkway—Flow of Water

The interweaving pattern between the pavers and the curb-less planting area along the EVA route helps receivewater runoff and directs water into the planting area. Given the constraint ofthe 4m wide EVA route circling the site, the interweaving paving has strategically soften the solid edge of materials by blending the pavers with the green. The walkways and corridors function more than circulation paths.They are also multifunctional connection hub which can accommodate the overflow circulation from the buildings and provide activity space, such as book corner,play area and sunken seat with fire pit.

Villa Area — The Fluidity of Water

Despite the rigid andlinear layout of the villa buildings, we have created a contrasting curvilinear walkways and planting areas to reinforce the atmosphere of a home sanctuary.When walking along these meandering paths, residents will be surrounded bydense plantation and not be exposed to the other end of the walkway immediately.Hence, giving a cozier and relaxing vibe for the residents as they approach thevillas.

Along the villa walkways will be some pocket seats at the junctions. Each of the pocket seats will have a specific theme related to the overall water, lake and planting material concept, and serving the residents as an intimate communal space for some passive activities. The form of water features with minimalusgae of water at these pocket space vary from waterfalls and cascades to small fountains and spring. The pleasant sound of water will accompany with theresidents at all time along their way home. Meanwhile, the colors of plantingspecies also vary in design. The planting at the pocket seats will gradually change from lush green to flowery species towards the resort like sub entrance area.

Sub Entrance — Modern Form of Lake

The sub entrance is the secondaryentrance to the property that is more intimate and gives the welcoming resort feeling, which combines with delightful colors of plants. Shallow water pondsand islands of green are delicately provided in this area to echo with themajor pond feature at the central courtyard to unite the entire project. Withthe glass lobby building overlooking at the pleasant landscape, the sub entrance will function as the second clubhouse of the property.

CONCLUSION

The entire project circles around the major theme of Weiyang Lake and forms of water. At places even water feature is not present, we take the liquidity form of water to remember theessence of life brought by this natural element, through its function, form,and texture. When water presents, it brings life and enhance the quality ofliving. Thus, the whole setting provides residents opportunities to enjoynature in every corner of the landscape and be part of nature at Weiyang Impression. All in all, the project is a pleasant home sanctuary to human beingwith high degree of freedom, safety and privacy.