Landscape Design of Siena Villa, Beijing

Project Profile

Project Statement:

To the east of the Olympic Village, the project of Siena Villa is located at the Tiantongyuan area, which mostly consists of economically affordable housing projects, but is lacking in high-quality landscape residences. It covers an area of 70 ha, and mainly focuses on the successful executives between the ages of 30 and 50. The architectural design is typical multi-storied structure, and the layout is wholly scattered but partially concentrated. One of the main objectives of this project is to supply a natural-feeling residence for the executives, with nearby-downtown location and convenient traffic situation. Correspondingly, the landscape design must fit and even stress that, trying to create an unusual and natural environment.
The design attempts to provide a leisurely, beauiful, and relaxed residential environment for those who are living a strained, speedy urban life. With great satisfaction with the environmental demands from the residents, the project sets a paradigm for the residential environmental design - to create a perfect residential environment with fashionable houses, babbling brooks, natural plants and vertical gardens.

Major Features:

1. Water
The landscape layout of the residence is guided by the “stream courtyard” concept to create a natural and humanistic space, which consists of three brooks starting from the water surface on the east of the chamber and moving in zigzags between each building. The twisting flows are in clear contrast to transparent buildings. In this way the space indoor and outdoor becomes unified.
2. Stone
The use of stone is another interesting feature of this residence, one that is key to the design. In combination with the trees, stones in various shapes are placed by the brooks, in the courtyard, and along the slopes, which creates a small enclave of nature in contrast to the busy concrete city and gives people the feeling of having left the city altogether.
3. Plants
Plants are really the soul of the design, combining with the stone and the water to create a natural atmosphere in a limited space. In the planting distribution, more attention was paid to the plants in different levels and their relation with buildings. Considering the transparency of the buildings and their residental function, poplar is planted around the buildings so as to enhance the building’s forceful posture and form a private space for each building.
4. Other
The chambers western square is placed near Lishuiqiao North Rd., where it is more flourishing than other side. Thus, the design highlights Siena Villa’s character: classical and natural. Following the concept of the ‘arbor square’, trees are arrayed regularly in the square, making it visible from far away. Parking space is consequently placed under the trees. From a distance, it looks like the red roof of the chamber is floating on the big green.
The main entrance is designed to be a forceful metal structure, with the residence’s name and the name of Le Corbusier (who designed the original Siena Villa) carved on it. In such way, the residence is increased in cultural atmosphere, which helps to promote the quality of the whole residence.