Cang Ma Mountain: A Unique Mountain Residence

Respecting Tradition and Embracing Nature

The project, which began in October 2018 and was completed in June 2020, aimed to address the resettlement needs of the surrounding four natural villages. With over 1,300 households to accommodate, the architects were tasked with creating a design that not only provided practical solutions but also honored the cultural heritage of the area.

One of the key strengths of the Cang Ma Mountain project is its integration with the natural environment. The site boasts stunning hills and abundant ecological vegetation, making it an important ecological central region in the west coast area. The architects capitalized on this ecological richness and incorporated it into the design, creating a harmonious relationship between the built environment and nature.

The design team drew inspiration from the cultural heritage of the west coast village and the renowned painting "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains." By embracing the context and nature of the site, they aimed to solve the practical problems faced by the villagers while providing them with cultural and entertainment humanistic care.

The design concept revolves around the theme of a mountain residence. Elements such as red tiles, green trees, fences, stone mills, tea fields, and ancient wells are incorporated to convey this theme. The architects carefully considered the spatial form of primitive villages and infused the design with pastoral nostalgia, while also reflecting modern civilization.

Overcoming challenges posed by the terrain and the lack of regional cultural characteristics, the architects devised innovative solutions. The slope terrain was divided into independent platform groups, seamlessly integrating the buildings with the natural topography. To infuse cultural characteristics, abstracted and simplified design elements were used, resulting in a successful reconstruction of the style and features of Cang Ma Mountain Residence.

The Cang Ma Mountain project encompasses a total land scale of approximately 130,000 square meters, with above-ground construction covering around 131,400 square meters and underground construction spanning 19,800 square meters. The above-ground buildings consist of residential and public structures, with residential buildings ranging from 4 to 8 storeys and public buildings comprising 2 to 3 storey commercial buildings.

Recognizing its excellence and creativity, the Cang Ma Mountain project was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2021. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon designs that exhibit outstanding ingenuity, technical skill, and resourcefulness, contributing to improvements in quality of life.

The Cang Ma Mountain project stands as a testament to the power of design to solve practical problems while preserving cultural heritage and embracing the beauty of nature. It serves as an inspiration for future projects that seek to create a harmonious coexistence between human habitation and the environment.