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China Overseas Oriental Mansion Demonstration Area
Landscape Design
JTL Studio Singapore
Completion Year
2021
Location
Ningbo, China
Developer
China Overseas
A Poetic Journey of Light, Nature, and Heritage
The landscape design of the Ningbo Oriental Mansion Demonstration Area seamlessly integrates modernist architectural styles with the broader development’s aesthetic. It connects four distinctive experiential spaces—Gui Jing (Return to Serenity), Pu Jing (Pure Tranquility), Qing Jing (Refined Clarity), and Ya Jing (Elegant Harmony)—capturing the gentle charm of Ningbo while offering a modern sense of comfort interwoven with natural riverside scenery.
1. Gui Jing (Entry Experience: Pedestrian/Vehicle Entrance, Gateway, Parking)
This space utilizes native street-side trees to create a verdant green corridor. The gateway, water wall, and skylight establish a welcoming sequence and ceremonial sense of arrival, blending natural beauty with modern design elements.
2. Pu Jing (Forest Stream)
Upon entering, visitors are guided by the sound of water into a serene forest undergrowth, leaving behind the urban hustle and bustle. A tranquil stream flows through the natural woodland, enhanced by cascading water features. Elevated pathways lead guests toward the sales center, providing an immersive journey through nature.
3. Qing Jing (Sales Center Forecourt, Riverside Reflection Pool)
After the calming forest stream, visitors arrive at a minimalist rectangular lawn, a serene reception space designed to encourage relaxation. Inside the sales center, expansive riverside views and reflections of the greenery blend indoor and outdoor environments. The black mirror-like reflection pool captures the tranquil riverside lifestyle, offering a vision of future riverside living.
4. Ya Jing (Model Homes and Gardens)
This section transitions to refined modern courtyards showcasing sample apartments and semi-detached villa models. Layered hedges, linear water features, and a sensory garden featuring elegant purple salvias create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
Landscape Concept and Design Elements
The landscape design draws inspiration from Haishu District’s historical and geographical significance, named after the Tang Dynasty's Haishu Tower. The name originates from the poem by Du Shenyan, “Clouds and mist rise with the morning light, plum blossoms and willows herald spring across the river.” This historical essence is woven into the demonstration area through themes of time, reflection, and nature.
Key Design Highlights
Parking Lot Art Installation – "Cloud Boats"
A pair of abstract "Cloud Boats" reflects Ningbo’s maritime history. The hollow elliptical design with mirrored surfaces symbolizes the convergence of Ningbo's past and future.
South Entrance Installation – "Mirror Forest"
A series of slim, reflective columns create a subtle, dynamic effect as visitors pass through, echoing the aesthetic language of the parking lot sculpture.
South Gateway
A modern design with slatted details on the sides and overhead, emphasizing the flow of time and light. Natural stone water walls and dark matte finishes blend tradition with modernity, symbolizing the fusion of Ningbo’s history and present.
Forest Stream Feature
Three delicate water sources symbolize past, present, and future. A sculpture titled Cloud Memory frames a portion of the wall, depicting a cloud-like figure recalling the origins of Xin Zhi Road. Flat spherical shrubs and white-veined black stone create a misty, dreamlike atmosphere.
Reception and VIP Area Installation – "Cloud Dance"
Layered stone slabs mimic natural cloud formations, interspersed with sleek metallic elements. Timed mist effects soften the edges, enhancing the ethereal feel of the feature.
Inner Courtyard
Accessible via a small corridor, the courtyard offers undulating green hedges that transition into a calm reflection pool. This progression embodies the metaphor “Still waters bring peace.”
Outdoor Rainbow Installation
Inspired by the vibrant hues of dawn, a rainbow sculpture arcs over the reflection pool, connecting the riverfront to the courtyard. This feature, titled “Mist Over Cedar River,” celebrates the interplay of light and nature.
Sample Garden Features
These elements incorporate the elongated forms of the "Cloud Boats" and mirrored installations, blending futuristic artistry with residential greenery. The garden design features lush planting, evoking the springtime essence of "Plum Blossoms and Willows Across the River."