Under the foothills of Huangqi Mountain in Dongguan lies Huolianshu Village, a community with a history spanning over 160 years.
Urban development has brought about a unique fusion of modernity and traditional living, creating an intriguing lifestyle dynamic.
As the “master planner” of the Huolianshu Village renewal project, CR Land Dongguan has commissioned us, together with architects, to reimagine the area’s urban life. This comprehensive renewal involves reshaping the road network, refining the green space system, and enhancing key urban nodes.
The newly envisioned Qifeng Runfu project, featuring a “Central Park and Superblock” concept, is set to become a benchmark for vibrant urban living in Dongguan, showcasing a harmonious blend of ecology, functionality, and community vibrancy.
In the bustling urban center surrounded by towering buildings and commercial activity, we envisioned a “Shanshui Valley Park” as the green heart of the area’s lifestyle. Spanning approximately 32,800 square meters and traversing three city blocks, the park serves as a “super-connector” of urban functions. To reflect the diverse urban contexts surrounding the park, we assigned each of its three segments a distinct character, moving west to east: Urban Vitality, Canyon Rainforest, and Natural Art.
A man-made waterfall cascades dramatically into a recessed valley within the Natural Art segment at the park’s eastern edge, forming a stream that flows through all three zones. The park’s design mimics the erosive and transformative power of flowing water, creating a dynamic, multi-layered canyon landscape. The resulting spaces incorporate features like waterfalls, streams, and rainforests. Lawns and woodlands extend seamlessly from ground level into the valley floor, transforming the underground parking into an unexpected visual delight.
The Valley Park harmonizes nature and urban life, offering a refreshing escape while weaving ecological elements into the fabric of city living.
The Natural Art Park, located in the eastern segment of Shanshui Valley Park, serves as the flagship demonstration area for the future transformation of Huolianshu Village into the vibrant urban community of “Qifeng Runfu.” This initiative not only instills greater confidence in the future of the neighborhood but also introduces a dynamic new urban identity.
At the heart of this space is a modern and minimalist Urban Art Pavilion, occupying an area of 1,800 square meters. As the centerpiece of the eastern park, it acts as both a landmark and a focal point for showcasing future urban planning and hosting diverse artistic activities. Its design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding natural environment, merging greenery and architecture into a cohesive landscape. The pavilion is enveloped by lush foliage, becoming an intrinsic part of the park’s aesthetic.
One of its most striking features is a waterfall cascading from the second floor of the pavilion, tumbling into a stream at the valley floor. The water flows gently over stone channels, collecting into tranquil pools that enhance the park’s serene ambiance.
Within the valley, a subtropical rainforest ecosystem flourishes, constructed from a rich diversity of over 20 plant species. Anchored by the robust Lysidice tree, the landscape is adorned with a vibrant mix of irises, bird’s nest ferns, maidenhair ferns, staghorn ferns, philodendrons, and more. This lush, layered planting creates an immersive natural environment that invites visitors to connect with both art and nature.
The Urban Art Pavilion stands as a symbol of the harmonious interplay between urban innovation and ecological preservation, offering a forward-looking vision of what urban life can aspire to be.
To reach the Urban Art Pavilion, one must cross the “Natural Valley” formed by flowing streams, making the design of a bridge an essential and symbolic element. This bridge is not merely a practical solution—it becomes an integral part of the landscape, creating a ceremonial experience for visitors. Its form blends seamlessly into the architectural language of the pavilion, offering both a visual highlight and a unique passageway.
Spanning 60 meters, the bridge is an elegant structure that balances functionality with artistry. Facing the city, a long translucent white stone wall is designed along one side, adding a striking feature to the urban skyline.
Crossing the bridge, the atmosphere shifts as you enter a serene space enveloped by majestic trees. Within this tranquil courtyard, we have carefully transplanted native trees such as Chinese hackberries and chinaberries, salvaged during the redevelopment of surrounding areas. These venerable trees, once silent witnesses to the life and evolution of Huolianshu Village, will now continue their role, standing as guardians of the city’s new prosperity.
The courtyard, brimming with vitality, is thoughtfully adorned with intricately designed “pavilions.” These cozy alcoves, complete with plush cushions, invite moments of relaxation and interaction, transforming the space into a delightful urban oasis. Beneath the bridge, this hidden garden becomes a lush retreat, blending nature and design into a harmonious corner of the city—a peaceful haven amidst the urban hustle.
A few steps of stone stairs lead to the garden beneath the bridge. The garden, designed with varying elevations, features interwoven terraces and grassy platforms that cascade down and extend toward the reflecting pool under the bridge.
The open spaces between the grass terraces provide an ideal setting for artists to display their work. Currently, bronze-painted sculptures by artist Luo Dan rest lazily on the grass, with several other pieces from the same collection echoing the garden’s themes within the exhibition hall.
Water from the reflective pool in front of the pavilion flows seamlessly through the garden, eventually merging into the pools beneath the bridge.The waterfall cascading from the pavilion and the tranquil mirror pool in front represent two distinct water systems. These systems converge harmoniously in the garden beneath the bridge, symbolizing the unification of natural and architectural elements. Beyond its visual and ecological roles, the water feature serves as a guiding element, leading visitors toward the pavilion’s entrance.
Adjacent to the Gorge Rainforest section, the eastern park features the City Window, a 36-meter-wide framed vista that serves as both an entrance and a viewing gallery. From the street, the frame captures a vivid tableau of waterfalls, bridges, flowing streams, and greenery. From within the park, it showcases the bustling urban skyline, blending the tranquility of nature with the vibrancy of city life.
To balance connectivity and tranquility, we used finely textured white marble for the frame. This material not only acts as an acoustic barrier but also aligns with the hall’s architectural aesthetics, reinforcing the park’s serene yet sophisticated atmosphere.
The refined materiality aligns with the architectural language, reinforcing the park’s serene yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Through the lens of landscape design, we have crafted a dialogue between city and nature, memory and modernity. Natural Art Park, as the pilot project of the Qifeng Runfu area, exemplifies a new paradigm for urban living—a seamless integration of ecological harmony and cultural vibrancy. When completed, Shanshui Valley Park will connect people and nature, bridging the warmth of everyday life with the boundless possibilities of a thriving, green urban future.
Project Name: Dongguan CR Qifeng Runfu Urban Exhibition Hall
Project Location: Dongcheng, Dongguan
Landscape Area: 8,000㎡
Client: CR Land (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: Change Studio
Construction: Xiamen Yijing Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd.
Planting Implementation: Shenzhen Benmodu Landscape
Architectural Design: Shanghai Zhengxiang Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: Waterform Design
Art Sculptures: Luo Dan
Photography: Wang Ning
