From Grandeur to Serenity: A Landscape Journey

Over thousands of years, the Chinese believed that the heavens, the earth, and human beings are intimately connected, and that humans must live and act within the laws of nature. This traditional view included architecture, suggesting that buildings should harmonize with nature.

Landscape redesign by TOPOS between 2012-2014 maximizes scenic and environmental relationships to the Yanxi Lake ecosystem, including forested hills, wetlands, and aquatic plants. The contextual landscape is boldly drawn into the resort, enveloping the hotel and conference center complex with a lush forest of native plants. This woodland landscape extends lakeside terrestrial habitat onto the development site.

Both intimate and grand spaces are carved from the woodland, framed with richly layered plantings, all connected with an exploratory walkway network. The resort appears to be immersed within a natural mountain and lake setting. A cluster of varied courtyards offers intimacy and smaller scale activities.

As one moves from the grand entry garden and conference center to the pool recreational area and lake-front open space, landscape design transitions from orderly compositions to varied and diverse woodlands. Natural lakeside landscapes are interwoven with recreated natural landscapes. Topography grows more varied as one approaches the lake. A primary organizing axis reinforces the sequence from formal activity settings to a romantic getaway with nature.

Design Phases by TOPOS
Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration