TAIHU LAKE RESORT

Our masterplan for the Xintiandi Taihu Lake Eco-View Resort integrates planning efficiency and restorative landscape for a sustainable design solution that resolves the density outlined in the brief with privacy and views to nature. Through manipulation of topography and coastline, coupled with geometry and materiality of resort building typologies, we create a high-quality development that provides intimate views to the most valuable on-site natural resources: The lake and wetlands.

The entire masterplan is oriented towards the south-west, with panoramic views from every resort apartment to the coastline. The clubhouse is located in the northeast corner, with a parking lot that connects traffic from the adjacent leisure development while hiding unwanted views to and from. The clubhouse facade uses a patchwork of wooden louvers to protect from direct sunlight and provide a gradient of views to the exterior. The sweeping roof is a modern interpretation of Chinese vernacular architecture and features integrated photovoltaic tiles.

Coastline housing units (Type A) are ideally located directly on the water, with the best views to the surrounding nature. The units are clustered into groups of three, facilitating rental flexibility while breaking up the programmatic mass and evenly distributing it across the shore. The layout of these units is specifically designed to maximize views to the exterior while maintaining complete privacy from neighbors; the experience of a solitary house on a lake. Each house has a generous wooden deck extension which lowers to meet the water. Each unit also has two kayaks, encouraging the exploration of the facing wetlands exclusively available to the renters of this lake-side property. A facade of horizontal wooden louvers combined with a copper cladded folding roof form balances modern and traditional Chinese architectural elements.

Hillside housing units (Type B) are located behind the coast. The main design strategy for these units is ensuring an optimum view through a checkerboard layout and topograhical alterations. Each hillside house has an unobstructed perspective directed towards the natural amenities of the site. The elongated typology is based on truck size for prefabricated construction and delivery, and with four types of floorplan options, allows for a diversity of options to emerge from clusters of two.

The sustainable strategy is entirely based on harnessing energy and bolstering the natural resources of the site. With the removal of the watermill, we propose an alternate form of water-based energy generation through the use of lake source heating and cooling. Solar energy is similarly collected by integrating a pixelation of photovoltaic tiles in the expansive clubhouse roof that is informed by a detailed annual solar analysis. Wood from uprooted trees is recycled to make the boardwalk that connects all of the functions of the masterplan. Electric shuttles, powered by on-site energy, provide a green and silent transportation network through the resort. The final piece of the sustainable strategy is the restoration and protection of the natural wetlands on-site, which will provide a habitat for native species of flora and fauna while providing a scenic, natural backdrop for the entire resort.

Our proposal for the Xintiandi Lakeside Eco-View Resort is a environmentally responsible getaway from the busy city life, where visitors can completely immerse into their own private slice of nature.