Park Lane Complex | Waterfrom Design co. Ltd

The delight of the mountains and forests is never solely about one's location; weaving through the layers of green shadows and rocky paths in the garden, ascending to gaze upon the natural elegance, and upon closer inspection, discovering intricate craftsmanship. Civilization and nature exist side by side in perfect harmony within easy reach, waiting for guests to proceed, continuing the gathering of literati and refined individuals.

Standing within the street layout of a large-scale development project, the site will be connected to the subway exit, facing the heart of Central Park's hinterland. Considering future commercial activities, the flat floor area will be modestly reduced to enhance the pedestrian scale. The decomposed volumes will be flexibly stacked upwards, complemented by aerial walkways linking the vertical and horizontal systems, including the addition of an exit portal and an overhead bridge on the third floor of the site.

This project is expected to operate for a duration of ten years, with future delivery for sustainable community use. The designer needs to consider both internal and external circulation routes, as well as street layout performance, to ensure aesthetic appeal and functional durability. Waterfrom, responsible for the interior space design, takes into account the main axis of the development plan and the internal and external network system. Stacking volumes within the glass-dominated architectural skin serves a dual purpose: firstly, meeting sales requirements, and secondly, echoing the urban landscape of the development zone.

Overstep the luxious vaule

In addition to freeing up pedestrian areas, the developer also plans to strategically incorporate green belts to interconnect street layouts and adjust the balance between nature and civilization. Given this perspective, before pursuing the aspiration of creating a top-tier lifestyle, we believe that "balance" holds greater value than "luxury" in contemporary values. Rather than its symbolic collage and beauty, we should delve into nurturing the underlying taste of "luxury," contemplating the human mechanisms that preserve and enrich culture from the past. The challenge lies in deriving and applying these humanistic mechanisms from design to modern space.

The gardens that nurtured elegant collections in China in the 11th century, and the salons that stirred up literature and art in France in the 18th century, the space itself symbolizes the depth and breadth of wealth. From this point of view, the exquisite craftsmanship or rituals that can be gathered in the field can elevate the material to the abstract level, properly integrate the user and the space in the same temperament frequency, and construct a cultural gathering point that is free from vulgarity and elegant, and adapts to the contemporary era.

The point-to-point long detour and deepens the dimension of spatial imagination

To recreate the winding and meandering visual imagery of classical gardens, we divide the space into multiple volumes, layering them in an overlapping manner. Even in areas with voids showcasing the scale, we deliberately shift angles to avoid piercing the vertical axis, abandoning point-to-point linear logic to let poetic aesthetics replace efficiency. Intersecting staircases and extending platforms delineate different activities, while tunnel-like corridors and partially separated meeting rooms provide relatively tranquil spaces for discussions and other functions.

Constructed by volumes, the "meandering" design gradually leads people deeper into the space, akin to exploring a grand garden hall. Lush greenery and open spaces transform into curated treasures and intricate details. The symmetrical layout along the central axis is complemented by hanging night drapes, as guests step into the main hall, quietly awaiting the feast. The ambiance and ceremonial atmosphere imply nobility, immersing people naturally in the elegance of ancient times.

The design aims to create an immersive environment, intending to infuse a garden-like charm into the modern sales office. Rather than transplanting and replicating traditional garden elements like curved bridges and pavilions, we shape the indoor volumes to evoke a similar ambiance. The core of this design lies in providing flexibility for user interactions even within a fixed and static architectural structure. Multiple pathways allow people to appreciate and explore the space from different positions and heights, adding to the joy of experiencing the garden ambiance repeatedly.

Taste is the way, we look at things

In terms of materials, the texture of the stones symbolizes rugged mountains, while the colors evoke shades of blue, green, and emerald, breaking away from the conventional association with flowers, leaves, and rivers in nature. We adopt an abstract approach that still retains the sense of natural beauty. The interplay of gray, white, and various shades of green complements the overall color scheme, echoing the winding green spaces outdoors amidst the gaps between street and building structures.

Beyond creating a grandiose impression through scale, the design conceals intriguing details that leave a lasting and thought-provoking memory. For instance, the seamless stone junctions and the facade's corner mix of sunken and raised relief techniques, integrating custom-made wall lamps, all exude a refined and restrained elegance. Simultaneously, the meticulous soft furnishings and accessories are artfully incorporated into the spatial system, following a proportional approach, resulting in a decisive and sleek overall effect with a unique sense of taste.

The consistent vocabulary of discreet wall lamps, low-key floor lamps illuminating the axis relationship, door handles, and handrails wrapped in leather, all deepen the customized essence of palace lamps and wood and leather carving craftsmanship from ancient architecture. These elements are then translated into modern space, creating a feeling of thoughtfulness for the occupants.

As users move along, accumulating subtle perceptions step by step, the corresponding sense of nobility in their actions becomes self-evident. Every gesture and touch effortlessly harmonize into an elegant and rhythmic gathering.

[CHN]

咫尺園林

構築未可預料的曲折與邊際

山林之怡從不在於身之所處，穿梭於綠影蒼石層層架構的遊園路徑，登高對望自然雅緻，細窺卻見工藝細膩，文明與自然存於咫尺相稱，待賓客前行，續寫文人雅士之聚。

立於大型開發案街廓，基地將連結地鐵出口並面迎中央公園腹地，考量日後商業行為，平地樓面多內縮釋放人行尺度，分解體積向上靈活架疊，輔以空中廊道搭接縱橫體系，包括基地三樓增設出口埠接空橋。

本案預計運作十年之久，未來亦交付社區永續使用，設計者需參考內外動線、街廓性能確保美感及機能耐久度。負責室內空間的水相設計，思及開發案主軸及內外網絡系統，在玻璃為主的建築皮層內疊砌區塊量體，一來切合銷售需求，二則呼應開發區的都市景觀。

超越奢華的價值

釋放人行面積之外，開發商更計畫性植入綠帶串連街廓，調節自然與文明的疏密比例。有鑑於此，建造頂端生活的訴求前，我們認為當代價值裡「平衡」比「奢華」珍貴，與其符號浮濫拼貼華美，更應挖掘滋養「奢」的品味底蘊，思考過往保存並豐富文化的人文機制，如何由設計衍生運用至現代空間。

舉凡十一世紀中國孕育雅集的園林，十八世紀法國激盪文學藝術的沙龍，空間本體象徵勝於財富的深度及廣度。由此發想，場域所能聚集的精緻工藝或儀式，能提升物質至抽象層次，恰到好處地將使用者和空間整合在相同氣質頻率，建構去俗賦雅、適應當代的文化聚點。

點到點的悠長迂迴，深化空間想像維度

為重現古典園林曲折迂迴、亦繞亦遊的視野意境，我們將空間切分為多塊量體、錯置堆疊進退面，即便展示尺度的挑空區域，也刻意切挪角度使垂直向不貫穿，捨棄點對點的直線邏輯，讓詩意取代效率。交錯階梯、探伸平台劃分了行為群落；隧道般的廊道、隔牆劃開的半獨立會室，則提供洽談區和其他機能相對幽靜之所。

量體虛實形構的「繞」，使人逐步深入空間猶如探訪園林廳堂，花木與開闊轉為藏品與精緻，空處有景、疏處不虛，中軸對稱佈局有低垂夜幕為襯，賓客步入正廳靜候宴饗之啟，環境儀式感暗示著尊貴，使人自然浸入古代風雅。

設計使建築提供沈浸條件，欲在現代售樓處創造園林韻味，我們不挪植栽曲橋、亭榭雕欄拼貼複製，而藉室內量體圍塑相仿情致。其設計骨幹在於：即便固定靜止的建築也能靈活使用者行為，路徑不僅一條，同個空間能自不同位置、高度觀之賞之，反覆玩味探詢即為園林樂趣之一。

品味即是看待事物的目光

擇物方面，石材紋理象徵山岩，色澤散發青、蔥、碧、翠，扭轉人對自然必聯想花葉山川的慣性連結，以抽象但保有約略美感的原則鋪排。灰、白與各式綠的幫襯關係，也呼應戶外綠地蜿蜒於街廓建築間隙的整體色調。

君子貴於不露圭角，在尺度營造的宏觀感受之外，細節藏入設計的奇與巧更能留下耐人尋味的記憶點，例如石材銜接面處理，立面轉角混合陰刻陽刻手法內嵌訂製壁燈，皆為點到為止的內斂精緻。同時，瑣碎軟裝配件依循比例和巧藏規則進入空間系統，才成就整體果斷俐落但品味獨特的效果。

語彙保持一致性的壁燈，腳邊點亮軸線關係的內斂地燈，門把、扶手以皮革包覆的溫潤，深化古代建築裡宮燈、木革雕刻工藝的訂製內涵，再轉換為現代空間使人感覺體貼的元素。

Layout：Reception Area. Exhibition Area. Lighting Aisle. Gallery. VIP Room. Private VIP Room. Cafe. Office. Toilet

Design Period：2022.01~2022.08

Construction Period：2023.02~2023.05

Material：Marble, Serpentine Stone, Jade, Handmade Lacquer, Leather, Antique Brass, Titanium-coated Plate

Photographer：Vincent Wu

Copyright：Waterfrom Design