GOALS& OBJECTIVES

In thePark Block project, we aim to amplify the beauty of nature, and integrate thenatural elements with the project. We have always live aside with nature, andthe most comfortable living environment should be as close as it can to beconnected with nature. Nowadays, the urban living has less and less connectionto the natural environment. As a result, human is receiving less benefit fromthe nature. Thus, the Park Block project has a strong vision to reflect theorigin of the living environment in order to introduce the most comfortable livinglandscape for the residents.

SITECHARACTER & ANALYSIS

ParkBlock is a public plaza located among the residential buildings. The site isrelatively flat. The space for landscape design is constrained by the layout ofthe buildings on the site. Since the public plaza is located diagonally on thebigger plot of land and the buildings are arranged perpendicularly on plan, theresulting area for landscape design is irregular in shape.

DESIGNCRITERIA & CONCEPT

Despiteof this constraint, our team has taken it as a design opportunity and proposedto use triangular geometry to create functioning spaces in order to maximizethe usage of land. The triangular geometry has three major design advantagesfor the project. First, the triangular layout on land effectively utilized allcorner space between buildings. It is a flexible geometry that can easily breakinto smaller pieces and fit in the irregular space. Second, the triangularsetting of space allows higher accessibility from one place to another, enhancethe efficiency of circulation. Third, the shape of triangle creates longerparameter and more sides of a geometry. Hence, it provides more opportunitiesfor people to enjoy and interact with the landscape.

Theconcept is to “Connect with Natural Corridor”. The triangular symbol in thisproject also represents the mountains in nature, which is the origin of thenatural elements, giving flows to the water, climate and vegetation connectingto the living of the lower ground. Park Block, as an urban residential projecthas been designed to link with this natural environment and the symbol oftriangle to connect modern living back to the origin of nature. The triangularlayout, planters and water features echo with the sales office building, givinga strong design language for the project. These triangular elements are threedimensional, they could be raised, sunken or tilted at an angle. This variationresulted in a complex yet exciting landscape.

LANDSCAPEDESIGN & PROGRAMMES

Greatnumber of trees are planted on the site, they are the symbol of forest innature, which are used to softscape bridge, bonding the building, landscape andthe users. All together they formed a bigger piece of forest, unifying andenriching the entire space of Park Block. Looking out from each building withinthe Park Block, people will see the combination of mountains, water and forestthat give the feeling of living in nature.

Differentcombination among water features, berms and planting have mimicked differentecosystems in nature and be introduced into the project. The triangular islandsof green plants connects the hardscape and the water elements. The entirepicturesque landscape is harmonious.

Thelandscape in Park Block can be divided into three major zones—Public &Recreation Zone, Forest Zone, and Kids & Sub Entrance Zone.

Public& Recreation Zone (constructed)

ThePublic & Recreation Zone is the first phase of project that has alreadybeen constructed. It is public welcoming plaza in front of the gallery andcafé. Passing through the weaving water and planting areas, people will enter abroader piece of water feature. The unique triangular architecture is reflectedon the water, contrasting with the organic form of the tree canopiessilhouette. The café has simple and clean European style outdoor seating area,overlooking at the tranquil reflection and green islands in the water. In orderto connect the indoor and outdoor space seamlessly, we have carefully studiedthe design language of the signature sales office/ café building. Seeing that afeature tree has been planted indoor at the center of the glass building, wehave planted feature trees outdoor in the water feature correspondingly to linkup the design between architecture and landscape.

This zonefeatures with a larger triangular pond and layers of triangular berms. Thetrees of Zelkova serrata, which changes in colors throughout the year tointensify the sense of seasonal changes, interweave with the undulatinglandscape, forming simple yet pleasant scenery. In the future when the entireproject is completed, people will pass by a book store and café (the salesgallery building) along their way to home. They could enjoy a peacefullandscape with the delightful sounds of water flow and children playing. It isa tranquil place among the mountains, water and forest, setting people awayfrom the hectic urban life outside.

ForestZone (planning stage)

TheForest Zone has a denser plantation to create the atmosphere of forestlandscape. Mixtures of evergreen and deciduous native and wild flowers will beplanted to create unique ecosystem under the urban setting.  Since the Forest Zone is located at themiddle of the site, people will not discover the Forest Zone until they walkinto the site. Therefore, the Forest Zone is akin to a hidden landscapefeature, awaiting discovery by visitors. However, residents will have thechance to enjoy the lush green forest when viewing from the condominium above.

Along theForest Zone has some covered walkways to guide the circulation. The coveredwalkway has the layout as the branches of a forest tree and the cover ismeticulously designed with the triangular pattern to echo with the overallconcept. In addition, at the north eastern corner of the Forest Zone will bethe signature triangular forest pavilion hidden inside the forest, where peoplecan have some rest and enjoy the forest scenery.

Kids& Sub Entrance Zone (planning stage)

Towardsthe southern side of the site is the Kids & Sub Entrance Zone, where akindergarten locates. The design idea is to let the atmosphere of the ForestZone sprawl into this area, in order to create a comfortable environment forthis zone. Red and warm color tone has been used in this zone to symbolize theenergetic atmosphere of children, while all elements, such as paving, seating,and play equipment are designed in triangular form to reach consistency withthe overall design concept. Colorful running lane and a running bridge havebeen provided within the kindergarten to encourage outdoor exercise. Moreover,planting scheme in this zone will be colorful with flowering species tobrighten up the playful atmosphere of the landscape.

CONCLUSION

ParkBlock demonstrates a flexible modern living space, where quality urban life isblended with a pleasant mixture of garden and landscape. Landscape becomes partof their daily life, providing highly accessible facilities and privacy for theresidents.

Mountain,water and forest are the origin of living that brings the peace to everyone’sheart. The concept of introducing natural elements into the project has beenfully understood and applied. And more importantly, the high quality of livablelandscape for urban living in this project will link the present with the past,by reconnecting human with nature.

GOALS& OBJECTIVES

In thePark Block project, we aim to amplify the beauty of nature, and integrate thenatural elements with the project. We have always live aside with nature, andthe most comfortable living environment should be as close as it can to beconnected with nature. Nowadays, the urban living has less and less connectionto the natural environment. As a result, human is receiving less benefit fromthe nature. Thus, the Park Block project has a strong vision to reflect theorigin of the living environment in order to introduce the most comfortable livinglandscape for the residents.

SITECHARACTER & ANALYSIS

ParkBlock is a public plaza located among the residential buildings. The site isrelatively flat. The space for landscape design is constrained by the layout ofthe buildings on the site. Since the public plaza is located diagonally on thebigger plot of land and the buildings are arranged perpendicularly on plan, theresulting area for landscape design is irregular in shape.

DESIGNCRITERIA & CONCEPT

Despiteof this constraint, our team has taken it as a design opportunity and proposedto use triangular geometry to create functioning spaces in order to maximizethe usage of land. The triangular geometry has three major design advantagesfor the project. First, the triangular layout on land effectively utilized allcorner space between buildings. It is a flexible geometry that can easily breakinto smaller pieces and fit in the irregular space. Second, the triangularsetting of space allows higher accessibility from one place to another, enhancethe efficiency of circulation. Third, the shape of triangle creates longerparameter and more sides of a geometry. Hence, it provides more opportunitiesfor people to enjoy and interact with the landscape.

Theconcept is to “Connect with Natural Corridor”. The triangular symbol in thisproject also represents the mountains in nature, which is the origin of thenatural elements, giving flows to the water, climate and vegetation connectingto the living of the lower ground. Park Block, as an urban residential projecthas been designed to link with this natural environment and the symbol oftriangle to connect modern living back to the origin of nature. The triangularlayout, planters and water features echo with the sales office building, givinga strong design language for the project. These triangular elements are threedimensional, they could be raised, sunken or tilted at an angle. This variationresulted in a complex yet exciting landscape.

LANDSCAPEDESIGN & PROGRAMMES

Greatnumber of trees are planted on the site, they are the symbol of forest innature, which are used to softscape bridge, bonding the building, landscape andthe users. All together they formed a bigger piece of forest, unifying andenriching the entire space of Park Block. Looking out from each building withinthe Park Block, people will see the combination of mountains, water and forestthat give the feeling of living in nature.

Differentcombination among water features, berms and planting have mimicked differentecosystems in nature and be introduced into the project. The triangular islandsof green plants connects the hardscape and the water elements. The entirepicturesque landscape is harmonious.

Thelandscape in Park Block can be divided into three major zones—Public &Recreation Zone, Forest Zone, and Kids & Sub Entrance Zone.

Public& Recreation Zone (constructed)

ThePublic & Recreation Zone is the first phase of project that has alreadybeen constructed. It is public welcoming plaza in front of the gallery andcafé. Passing through the weaving water and planting areas, people will enter abroader piece of water feature. The unique triangular architecture is reflectedon the water, contrasting with the organic form of the tree canopiessilhouette. The café has simple and clean European style outdoor seating area,overlooking at the tranquil reflection and green islands in the water. In orderto connect the indoor and outdoor space seamlessly, we have carefully studiedthe design language of the signature sales office/ café building. Seeing that afeature tree has been planted indoor at the center of the glass building, wehave planted feature trees outdoor in the water feature correspondingly to linkup the design between architecture and landscape.

This zonefeatures with a larger triangular pond and layers of triangular berms. Thetrees of Zelkova serrata, which changes in colors throughout the year tointensify the sense of seasonal changes, interweave with the undulatinglandscape, forming simple yet pleasant scenery. In the future when the entireproject is completed, people will pass by a book store and café (the salesgallery building) along their way to home. They could enjoy a peacefullandscape with the delightful sounds of water flow and children playing. It isa tranquil place among the mountains, water and forest, setting people awayfrom the hectic urban life outside.

ForestZone (planning stage)

TheForest Zone has a denser plantation to create the atmosphere of forestlandscape. Mixtures of evergreen and deciduous native and wild flowers will beplanted to create unique ecosystem under the urban setting.  Since the Forest Zone is located at themiddle of the site, people will not discover the Forest Zone until they walkinto the site. Therefore, the Forest Zone is akin to a hidden landscapefeature, awaiting discovery by visitors. However, residents will have thechance to enjoy the lush green forest when viewing from the condominium above.

Along theForest Zone has some covered walkways to guide the circulation. The coveredwalkway has the layout as the branches of a forest tree and the cover ismeticulously designed with the triangular pattern to echo with the overallconcept. In addition, at the north eastern corner of the Forest Zone will bethe signature triangular forest pavilion hidden inside the forest, where peoplecan have some rest and enjoy the forest scenery.

Kids& Sub Entrance Zone (planning stage)

Towardsthe southern side of the site is the Kids & Sub Entrance Zone, where akindergarten locates. The design idea is to let the atmosphere of the ForestZone sprawl into this area, in order to create a comfortable environment forthis zone. Red and warm color tone has been used in this zone to symbolize theenergetic atmosphere of children, while all elements, such as paving, seating,and play equipment are designed in triangular form to reach consistency withthe overall design concept. Colorful running lane and a running bridge havebeen provided within the kindergarten to encourage outdoor exercise. Moreover,planting scheme in this zone will be colorful with flowering species tobrighten up the playful atmosphere of the landscape.

CONCLUSION

ParkBlock demonstrates a flexible modern living space, where quality urban life isblended with a pleasant mixture of garden and landscape. Landscape becomes partof their daily life, providing highly accessible facilities and privacy for theresidents.

Mountain,water and forest are the origin of living that brings the peace to everyone’sheart. The concept of introducing natural elements into the project has beenfully understood and applied. And more importantly, the high quality of livablelandscape for urban living in this project will link the present with the past,by reconnecting human with nature.