Inspired by the uninhibited and serene lifestyle of the literati during the Wei and Jin dynasties, we sought to reinterpret the essence of mountain living in a way that resonates with modern urban sensibilities. In this project, design traces are humbly concealed, allowing the space to evoke a sense of quiet immersion and serenity. The atmosphere within the landscape is imbued with effortless grace, creating a haven for emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.
The three years of the pandemic have subtly transformed many people’s understanding of life. From the inception of the project, our focus has been on crafting a landscape expression that reflects authentic living and carries restorative and healing qualities. The concept of “wild luxury mountain retreat” emerges as a solution, transcending ornate embellishments and traditional forms to offer a relaxed, private sanctuary amidst the urban environment.
During the initial photography session, Nanchang’s first snow of the season blanketed the landscape, softening the materiality of the architecture. The snow’s quiet beauty brought an immediate sense of healing, subtly revealing the project’s emotional core.
The initial display section of the project spans just over 1,000 square meters of flat space, while the site itself rises three meters above the municipal road. With limited ground-level space, our first challenge was to craft a compelling vertical “framework.” The stepped layout of the site was reconfigured into a three-layered, interwoven vertical spatial system, creating new design possibilities.
A restrained approach integrates multi-layered circulation within a unified hall structure. Two straight staircases and a vertical elevator connect the basement, entry level, and garden, forming a cohesive network. Inspired by the Wei and Jin naturalist worldview, which celebrates freedom from material constraints, we sought to make returning home a journey of discovery. Each path reveals a different view, offering moments of “movement, observation, dwelling, and exploration.” Small spaces, infused with such experiential richness, become carriers of profound emotion.
Nature, free and untamed, grows organically within the “gaps,” creating layered vistas. Differences in elevation allow glimpses of rocks, branches, and foliage through framed views, imbuing each level with distinct atmospheres. Here, humans and the mountains coexist in harmonious reflection.
Basements, often overlooked in design, are among the most frequently used spaces in daily life. Here, we envisioned a subterranean courtyard brimming with vitality, rising from the ground to greet the visitor. As vehicles approach, the soft murmurs of water flowing over stones guide the senses, accompanied by glimpses of trees rooted in moss-covered rocks. This courtyard becomes the permanent spiritual core of the site.
Drawing from traditional garden-making techniques, we curated a naturalistic courtyard inspired by mountain streams, where mossy stones and sunlight craft an atmosphere of immersion. The underground level opens selectively to adjacent mezzanines, allowing for direct interaction with nature from within the interior.
Amidst sudden mountain rains and rushing rivers, those who dwell in the mountains are always the first to sense the arrival of vitality.
As the evening sun casts its slanting rays, the golden light dances with the shadows of trees on wooden lattices, simultaneously filtering through to illuminate naturally draped linen and cotton artworks. In this core scene of spatial transitions, every choice—be it the species of trees or the art pieces—aims to convey a sense of vertical growth. This serves as a spiritual thread, weaving together the emotional resonance across multiple spatial layers.
The vertical growth of thirteen trees in the central courtyard evokes a semi-mountainous feeling, reinforcing the sensory themes of “gentle simplicity” and “mountain dwelling.” Materials such as warm-toned gravel polymers and weathered stone are used to convey an unrefined, authentic mountain aesthetic. Carefully curated spaces balance open natural views with an atmosphere of warmth and trust.
Inside, an inward-facing corridor compresses and concentrates emotion. Material selection plays a critical role here. Textiles with delicate translucence, warm tones, and wood textures dominate the palette, creating a refined tactile experience. Subtle woven patterns and understated textures become part of the visitor’s subconscious, gently evoking a sense of connection.
Inspired by Ji Kang’s depiction in “Wind Through the Pines” — “Singing long under the pine wind… immersed in tranquility, free of worldly concerns” — a serene gathering space has been created, floating gracefully atop the water. Designed for future residents, this pavilion is surrounded by the gentle rustling of pine breezes and the soft caress of lotus-scented winds, offering a peaceful retreat where one can gaze upon flowing waters and find solace in nature’s embrace.
Thirteen vertically growing trees rise from the ground level to frame the garden, evoking the feeling of dwelling on a tranquil mountainside. Within this layered landscape, the design emphasizes subtle sensations (dunkan) and the immersive quality of mountain living as the guiding themes of the garden level. The material palette draws from nature, featuring warm-toned gravel aggregate and rugged, unrefined stone. The interplay of contrasting textures across surfaces creates a sense of gentle warmth and rustic serenity.
Amidst the vast mountain-inspired landscape, every small gathering space has been carefully selected to be the most comfortable and harmonious haven. Surrounding these areas are expansive, open natural vistas, while within, the spaces are filled with a profound sense of warmth and trust, offering a refuge for rest and contemplation.
This project minimizes ornamental language, focusing instead on the intrinsic colors and textures of materials. Inspiration is drawn from Nanchang’s local intangible cultural heritage—Ruichang bamboo weaving and Nanchang rope weaving. Their intricate craftsmanship creates an integrated surface from afar, yet reveals a rich interplay of light, shadow, and texture upon closer inspection. This understated modernity embodies a de-ornamentalized design philosophy.
Uninterrupted, subtle design cues are embedded along the pathways, beginning with the smallest details. When large material surfaces, fine-grained patterns, and rugged stones converge in one space, they form a distinct sense of place unique to Guanshan.
As stated at the outset, breaking away from conventional paradigms of mountain living allows for deeper emotional healing. The focus here is on atmosphere rather than form, on elegance rather than ritual. Just as beauty lies in the essence rather than the surface, this landscape design represents a reinterpretation of classical and modern aesthetics, blending tradition and innovation to create a space that resonates with timeless harmony.
Project Name: Guanshan · Youxi, Vanke Century Waterfront
Project Location: Xihu District, Nanchang
Landscape Area: 3,000 m²
Client: Vanke Nanchang
Landscape Design: Chengji Landscape
Landscape Construction: Hangzhou Tianqin Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd.
Landscape Soft Furnishings: Hangzhou Yican Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd.
Architectural Concept Design: AAI International Architects
Architectural Construction Drawings: Shanghai Foreign Construction Architectural Design Co., Ltd.
Interior Design: WJID Design
Photography: E-ar TARS
