Location Impression: Capturing the Spirit of the Place
This project is situated in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, an area rich in educational and medical resources, complete with excellent facilities, convenient transportation, comfortable living conditions, and beautiful scenery. The initial design objective was to maximize the land’s advantages and surrounding resources, making the development stand out and achieve a differentiated design compared to nearby competitors.
▲ Demonstration Zone Rendering
The project is a premium upgrade developed by New Hope Group, featuring five fully high-rise residential buildings, each 80 meters tall. Centered around the core concept of “returning living to the origin of life,” it aims to create a humanistic luxury residential community in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou.
▲ Aerial Rendering
Spatial Relations: Architectural Vision for Future Urban Communities
The overall project layout aligns with the urban architectural spatial pattern, focusing on extracting spatial elements that emphasize community etiquette, while fostering a cultural and artistic ambiance. The planning employs a symmetrical arrangement of high-rise buildings to create the image of a large-scale central garden, enhancing spatial sequence and elevating both quality and character. Leveraging the scenic river to the east, the design utilizes techniques that gather and maximize landscape resources.
▲ Street Perspective View
The design integrates park concepts, aligned with New Hope Group’s “green and exquisite” real estate philosophy, emphasizing themes of health, fashion, and greenery. This results in five distinctive community park areas: Riverside Park, Sports Park, Central Park, Interactive Park, and Neighborhood Park.
The façade design embraces modern architectural elements, skillfully integrated through advanced construction techniques and materials. The result is an elegant, bright, and minimalist exterior that enhances the city’s image.
▲ Facade Rendering of a Standalone Building
Demonstration Zone: Design Philosophy in Urban Space
Hangzhou has always been a hub for scholars, literati, and high-end elites, whose high standards for themselves also reflect high expectations for their living environment. As a result, Hangzhou boasts the largest number of high-end boutique projects. New Hope Binjiang – Jincheng embraces a “green and exquisite” lifestyle philosophy and high-end international residential positioning, establishing three key design principles: 1) to fully embody the integration of architecture and nature; 2) to highlight the high-end quality of the property while standing out within a uniform urban landscape; and 3) to offer residents a refined sense of etiquette upon returning home.
In designing the two high-rise buildings on the north side of the demonstration area, consideration was given to their exposure to the city’s main road. From an urban design perspective, these buildings serve as landmarks, helping to craft a new city image. The goal was to create a practical and iconic demonstration zone that emphasizes humanistic care and offers a fresh spatial experience.
The design capitalizes on the building setback on the north side and the adjacent community garden to create a flow path from the front yard landscape through to the community interior. This forms a triple courtyard layout: front yard, entrance courtyard, and backyard landscape. Passing through these sequential spaces cultivates a strong sense of etiquette and spatial progression for residents returning home, while also blending indoor and outdoor environments across varying spatial scales.
[Culture: Heritage and Emotional Integration]
Conceptually, the design explores the local cultural context of Xiaoshan, where elements like the “Xiaoshan Wooden Boat,” “Xiaoshan River Tide,” and “Xiaoshan Xianghu” embody the spirit of resilience and boldness of the Xiaoshan people—an enduring bond with water. This connection is reflected in the design by incorporating the forms, stillness, and movement of water throughout the project.
[Form: Diversity, Innovation, and Refinement]
The design employs perforated aluminum panels to evoke the fluid shapes of water, imparting a sense of flexibility and tranquility throughout the space. As visitors stroll through, they experience a calming atmosphere. The backdrop features a flowing water texture as the centerpiece of the demonstration area, where the three-dimensional visual impact combined with geometric interplay creates a striking new façade design that commands attention.
[Materiality: Intricacy and Ambiguity]
The design vividly interprets the relationships and proportions between building elements through detailed craftsmanship and material selection. Facing the urban roads, a modern entrance with a play on reality and illusion enhances the project’s uniqueness. The use of stone, metal, and glass textures generates a strong contrast between tangible and ephemeral qualities. The perforated aluminum panels on top add translucency, enriching the interplay of light and shadow to create a rhythmic, layered architectural expression. Beyond the entrance, the design fully leverages the backyard landscape, offering expansive views as the building gracefully integrates with nature, complementing the urban environment.
At night, the glass surfaces emit a soft, gentle glow, evoking warmth and comfort. This invites residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves and slowly appreciate the ambiance.
Our intention is to break conventional thinking, not only by refining building exteriors but by interpreting the essence of place through diverse spatial experiences.
The connecting space embodies the clearest design philosophy—“The ripples of water bring peace.” Standing here, one senses the dignified etiquette of returning home. After the water settles and sunshine bathes the area, with warmth before and gentle breeze behind, no matter the weather outside, returning home feels perpetually youthful. Home will always be your sanctuary from the storm.
[Design Reflection]
This project represents our vision of a new community image, exploring cultural roots that have evolved within modern urban spaces. Looking ahead, DO architects are exploring further possibilities in expressing the unique charm of contemporary architecture through architectural language.
Every undeveloped site challenges designers to devise diverse strategies and solutions. The ideal approach combines regulations with a pursuit of functional efficiency and visual appeal—whether subtle or bold, serene or dynamic. Ultimately, a successful project is memorable to those who see it and beloved by those who experience it. The creation of outstanding works not only enhances the project itself but also elevates the surrounding urban environment. This is how city beauty becomes tangible, not just theoretical. With this goal, we remain committed and driven.
From design to construction, every detail presents new challenges—from careful block planning, material selection, and color coordination, to pattern design, component integration, and finishing touches. True craftsmanship is not empty rhetoric; only through meticulous execution can we achieve extraordinary results.
Project Information
Project Name: Hangzhou · New Hope – Jincheng
Owner: New Hope Real Estate
Owner Team: Shen Yan, Yan Zhihao, Huang Qiushuai
Architectural Design: Di’ao Design Group – Design Department 8
Project Team: Zhang Zhixiao, Xu Xiangwei, Wang Zhiming, Huang Yuejie, Tang Zhixin, Wu Zao
Design Consultants: Luo Qiwen, Zheng Zhangyu
Landscape Design: Shanghai Weimar Landscape Planning and Design Co., Ltd
Fine Decoration Design: Beijing Aidier Building Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd
Curtain Wall Design: Zhejiang Architectural Design and Research Institute
Photography: Zeng Jianghe
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