The design for the Shanghai CR Land Zhonghuan Zhidi Center, located in Baoshan District, embodies a vision of serene living immersed in poetic natural surroundings. By creating spaces that heal the soul and foster a sense of well-being, this project reflects our aspirations for the future of community landscapes. In the post-pandemic era, the notion of “healing” has gained new significance, prompting us to emphasize the tangible experiences of urban living in our designs. Particularly in Shanghai, a bustling metropolis known for its rapid pace, towering skyscrapers, and vibrant cityscape, the rarity of tranquility, nature, and slow living has become increasingly precious. For this project, we integrated the land’s natural characteristics with the aesthetics of modern, effortless living, aiming to cultivate an authentic and harmonious environment.
Situated north of the Zhaomatang Ecological Green Belt, the project is at the nexus of urban TOD resources and the vibrant MixC commercial hub. This location, envisioned as a catalyst for regional development, leverages the 130,000-square-meter Zhaomatang Green Belt as a central element in its landscape design. From the outset, our approach viewed the area as part of a larger urban green fabric. The design centers around a 1-kilometer waterfront park that seamlessly connects nine corner gardens to the green belt, creating a cohesive “urban super green boundary.” Using a “point-line-plane” strategy, the design stitches green spaces into the urban fabric, establishing a harmonious ecological community where nature and urban living coexist.
As poet Edith Södergran once wrote in The Gift, “In this colorful world, all I want is a bench in the park with a cat sunbathing on it.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of the project’s philosophy. Parks are the most lightweight yet powerful expressions of vitality in the urban environment, particularly in fast-paced cities like Shanghai. They serve as havens for both physical and mental rejuvenation, akin to an oasis amidst the urban desert.
Through close collaboration with CR Land, we embraced the design ethos of “Homes in the Park,” blending nature and urban life into a seamless narrative. The park, in this vision, becomes a central element of everyday living, fostering well-being and enhancing community connections.
As visitors approach the site via Qilian Mountain Road, towering original trees greet them, marking the entrance with a sense of ceremony. The natural terrain undulates gently, forming the skeletal framework of the site. On either side of the gateway, lush greenery creates a “natural portal,” extending an inviting gesture to passersby. A 100-meter-long scenic wall along the southern boundary provides a sense of security while harmonizing the transition between natural and built environments.
The greatest value of a landscape lies in its ability to guide human behavior to some extent. Starting from the 1-kilometer waterfront of the Runfu project, we have strived to construct a relaxed lifestyle nestled in nature and immersed in a park-like setting. On this vast natural plain, the landscape design intentionally minimizes intervention. By clearing the existing chaotic vegetation and reshaping the lawn, we have subtly crafted flowing natural valleys. This approach forms a spatial framework where nearby areas feel expansive, and distant views blend seamlessly with the surrounding hills. The seemingly “blank” spaces created through this restrained design strategy open up endless possibilities for experiencing nature. This principle, free from rigid boundaries, resonates with the lifestyle embraced by the new generation in Shanghai.
We warmly invite local community residents to spend their leisure time here. Gentle breezes over the plains, the soft glow of morning light, the earthy scent after rain, lush trees, and babbling streams extend a heartfelt welcome to every visitor. Each person who steps onto this land will experience the healing energy of nature. The gently undulating grass slopes have become playful grounds for children, a canvas of vibrant frisbees, joyful dogs, and soaring skylarks. These lively elements infuse the “blank” canvas of the natural plains with the final, vivid brushstrokes of life and color.
Beyond the green, relaxed plains, a cluster of thriving water pines stands prominently at the center of the view, drawing us closer to the river. The soft ground cover, draped over gentle undulating mounds, naturally shapes a serene corner garden at the edge of the site. Here, the flowing waters of the tidal flats, the calls of skylarks echoing through the pine shadows, and the caress of breezes over the green hills create a harmonious pause for both people and nature.
Lightweight seating facilities are thoughtfully placed along the garden’s periphery, offering restful spots for visitors. The pine groves and rolling hills provide a comforting embrace, allowing every restless soul to find solace in this lush, tranquil tidal garden. Here, as the day ends, visitors can quietly await the fiery glow of the setting sun as it bathes the treetops in a warm, golden-red light.
Transitioning from the park district to the community courtyard, the spatial experience shifts from openness to introspection. The 4-meter sunken space provides a unique opportunity to create a three-dimensional valley-like environment. Inspired by the flowing contours of riverbanks, the sunken courtyard incorporates multi-layered spatial features. Natural elements such as ponds, cascading waterfalls, floating bridges, islets, and winding streams draw the essence of “mountains and waters” from the external park into the heart of the courtyard, seamlessly integrating nature into refined living. Using water, stone, trees, light, and shadow, the design captures the essence of Eastern aesthetics, evoking a sense of simplicity, authenticity, and profound texture. At the core lies the poetic “heart of the waterfront,” where fitness facilities, swimming pools, and a clubhouse are thoughtfully positioned along the water’s edge, offering residents an immersive journey into park-inspired living. The courtyard features 48 carefully selected sculptural stones, sourced from the mountains of Qufu, Shandong. These stones retain their natural weathered textures, enhancing their authenticity. Strategically arranged and suspended along a cascading cliff, they interact dynamically with flowing water. Sunlight, mist, and the interplay of tree shadows create a vivid, ever-changing natural tableau.
Nature is the greatest creator and the most generous giver. We draw from its abundance, sourcing unique plant species from the deep forests of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. River birch, natal plum, bald cypress, and camphor trees are meticulously nurtured here, while carefully selected natural yellow rust stones imbue the site with a warm, grounded vitality. Gently running your fingers across the stone’s textured surface feels like engaging in a timeless dialogue with the natural world.
We all aspire to create landscapes brimming with vitality, but practical challenges such as development timelines often pose significant constraints. Factors like the long-term growth of vegetation, ease of site maintenance, and intended use scenarios must all be thoughtfully considered at the design stage. Fleeting visual impact is insufficient to embody our pursuit of nature’s resilience. This philosophy is evident in our approach to this project: we allocated ample growth space for each plant to thrive under the sun, ensuring the park becomes a lush green carpet throughout the seasons. Some spaces were intentionally “left blank,” returning them to the community. Children race barefoot across soft grassy fields, weaving and playing in pocket gardens, leaving traces of life and time in an urban haven for natural healing.
Project Name: Shanghai CR Land Zhonghuan Zhidi Center · Runfu
Location: Baoshan District, Shanghai
Site Area: 3 hectares
Design Year: 2023
Completion Year: 2024
Client: CR Land Shanghai
Client Team: Residential Design Team, Design Management Department, CR Land Shanghai
Landscape Design: Change Studio
Landscape Construction Drawings: Weima Studio
Landscape Construction: Bailu Garden
Architectural Design: GAD Architects
Interior Design: DIA Design
Facade Design: Zhongjia Design
Lighting Design: RDI
Photography: Ning Wang
