Nanjing Tongren Housing Development

Located on the outskirts of Nanjing, the Tongren Housing Development gives traditional Chinese architecture a modern interpretation by incorporating the traditional values of modesty, reserve, diligence and thrift in the buildings' design and space arrangement.

The overall planning is composed of two architectural forms: high-rise buildings and low-rise housing. The architects introduced patterns reminiscent of traditional communities into the pedestrian circulation. A bridge arches across the central pond to guide the pedestrians visually and psychologically away from the urban hustle and bustle. Courtyards and hidden landscapes are tucked away amidst the principal circulation pathways. A corridor running through the ground floor of the high-rise buildings leads to the commercial and recreational areas located near the development's main entrance. This spatial organisation is historically familiar, as people used to live and work between public streets and private courtyards.

The architects created Chinese garden landscapes, incorporating wandering paths and pavilions, in the open spaces between the high-rise buildings. Also, to balance the large-scale dimensions of a high-rise building, which is counter to the much more human-scale nature of traditional Chinese architecture, the architects treated the building facades with varied, textured walls and landscaping.

Architects worked to optimise natural ventilation and lighting in the high-rise buildings and created outdoor spaces by adding large terraces or balconies every two floors. The buildings are raised on stilts to improve ventilation and create a continuous zone of green.

The relatively high-density, low-rise buildings are sited across a pedestrian path from the high-rises, providing a lower-cost alternative to the popular villa option. Between four and 12 houses are clustered together, with between two and four units sharing walls. Four clusters make up a block that shares greenbelts, waterfronts and walkways by the small river that runs through the low-rise housing site. The design of the low-rise houses suggests traditional Chinese architecture, with whitewashed walls, small private courtyards and central shared gardens. The easy access to community spaces, such as green belts and the central gardens, promotes a sense of belonging and identity, reminiscent of ancient water town folk houses.–Han Wang