Shangtang Great Buddha Scenic Landscape Design

Project Profile

This scenic spot is located in a mountainous area and is ideal from the perspective of Chinese traditional geomancy theory. The planned area is at the southern part of the whole area, which is also an excellent position in terms of geomancy. Based on the analysis of the surroundings and local environment, we decided to conserve the existing geomancy pattern, and try to understand and integrate the site from the aspects of climate, geography, and human use. In this plan, we enlarged the water surface in the middle, which enhanced the ideal geomancy pattern, and made this a place of high-level attention to culture and tradition.

Compact development is located beside the site. The program includes hotel, holiday resorts, an amusement park, etc., which enhances the economic value of the site. The developing intensity of the middle hills and wetlands area are controlled to maintain its natural features, and this also helps to make a spiritual environment for prayer.

Combined with the requirement of tourism, six functional areas are locaed: Lake and lotus seedpod area, forestry area, spa area, comprehensive service area, high-level villa resorts area, and preserved development area. All these areas are scattered on the matrix of the blue wetland and the green vegetation, which makes the resort a quiet and leisurely place.

Landscape Design Elements

1) Lake and lotus seedpod area

This is located in the northern part of the site, 21 ha in area. We utilized the current slope and the river water to make it a cascading water surface, which gives an open feeling of space and an organic form to the waterline.

2) Forestry Area

Located at the southern part of the site, this is mainly mountainous and is 27 ha in area. The main use of this piece of land is ecological conservation, which means maintaining the natural quality of the landscape, so adjustments to it are strictly controlled. The north face of the mountain is toward the Buddha, so based on the topography and vegetation, a washing pond is planned for prayer before going to respect the Buddha.

3) Spa Areas

Located at the northeast part of the site, a large spa and resort is planned along the Shahe River. The resort is multi-functional, including a conference center, services, restaurant, recreation, shopping, and hotel. The two main programs are the spa amusement center and a 5-star luxury hotel.

4) Comprehensive Service Center

This is the main center of the management of this scenic resort, and serves all the functions of tourism service as well as acts as a control point between the inner and outer traffic through the site.

5) High-level Villa Vocation Resort

In the natual mountainous area where little was disturbed by commercial development, we made an analysis to identify the most suitable position for each villa, considering Chinese traditional geomancy theory, topography, views, etc. We planned nine types of villas from different countries and integrated the spa programs into each corresponding villa. This could offer customers a dual experience of both the forest and the spa.

6) Main Architecture Designs

The main point considered in the architecture design is to organize and divert different groups of people. Firstly, outside the buildings the road system helps divert people in their respective directions along the site. A transition zone between the hotel and the bathing area is designed to help prevent undesired overlap between the spa customers and those staying in the hotel.

Buddhism conference center: The conference center is on axis with the Temple Gate and the great Buddha. The facade concept of this building follows the form of the lotus flower and the Buddha.

5-star hotel: The hotel is divided into two regions, the guest rooms and the public activity areas. The guest rooms are further classified based on mountain view or water view.