【FLOWING GARDEN】Follow the Flow
【FLOWING GARDEN】Follow the Flow
00:00 Intro
01:03 Exterior
01:56 Interior
03:12 Conclusion
Architects: More Than Arch Studio
Area: 1700 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Chao Zhang
Manufacturers: Stream
Chief Architect: Jin Niu
Interior Design: Zhenyao Huang, East Design
Structure Design: Ruobing Bai, Weijun Zheng
Furnishings Consultant: Lili Lin, Liqing Lin
Landscape Consultant: Chi Xiao, Aland Landscape
Design Team: Xiaopeng Luo, Zhiqin Xu, Xiaoda Lin, Jiadong Wu, Xiaoxiang Luo, Zhongju Chen, Huifu Hou, Shaochuan Zhang, Fenfen Gong, Xiaohui Liu, Haiyan Liu, Qian Lin, Siyang Zheng, Huachun Yu, Jianhua Wang, Zhixu Zhang, Zhiwei Xu, Shengwei Yu, Hui Cai, Xiaowei Wu
Artist: Guanzhen Wu
Collaborator: Xiamen Hordor Architecture & Engineering Design Group Co. Ltd., No.1 Civil Design Institute
City: Zhangzhou
Country: China
Presenting the Flowing Garden by More Than Arch Studio. Standing out among other private houses in China, offering a unique approach. Owned by two entrepreneur brothers, this 3-acre rectangular property is positioned with its shorter sides facing north and south, leading to the road and the sea. A dense windbreak forest belt of she-oak trees acts as a barrier between the site and the beach, protecting it from strong typhoons. The owners' vision for the house is to create two separate residential spaces for each brother's family, along with a leisure space for gatherings, meetings, fitness, and other activities. They also hope that the house will serve as a space that carries the memories of the entire family across generations.
The south side of the property offers a glimpse of the ocean through the woods, the other three sides lack desirable views. Due to the height restriction of ten meters, taking advantage of the surrounding terrain is not feasible. Therefore, the design of the house emphasizes the courtyard spaces and interior landscaping.
The site is divided into two parts, with the northern side allocated for the public leisure space and the southern side designated for the private residential space. A shared pond is situated between these two parts. Furthermore, the residential section is divided into two independent units, creating a negative space that forms a ribbon courtyard between them. With the exception of the two-story volumes on the north and south sides, the ground level of the buildings spreads out as a single layer, aligning with the garden theme.
The interior tour route connects different spaces, with a seamless flow between the courtyard and rooms.
The central pond yard houses a tea room and a grand dining room, offering serene views and a sense of lightness.
The basement features an indoor heated pool, guest bedrooms with garden views, and a corridor illuminated by skylights.
Two residential units in the northern section have separate interiors, with master bedrooms facing the sea and multi-function rooms for various activities.
The Flowing Garden utilizes shear walls and fair-faced concrete as the primary building material, with warm-colored materials for balance.
Different indoor materials are selected for public and residential areas, creating a refined and restrained aesthetic.
Landscaping complements the courtyard space, and carefully chosen furnishings enhance daily life.
Teak wood furniture, desks, induction cookers in dining tables, and comfortable fabrics are included.
The design of the Flowing Garden combines contemporary materials with traditional style and a spiritual core to create a modern residential space. The name of the project represents not only the concrete material but also the flowing nature of the space and the serene and peaceful life of the owners. The design and construction process spanned five years, undergoing a series of adaptations from simplicity to complexity and then back to simplicity, akin to a journey that gradually uncovers the essence of life. Life is an ever-changing process, continuously flowing. This is what the flowing daily life of the Flowing Garden signifies.