The Osmanthus Grace: A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Nature

Greentown's GTD Team Introduces Jiangnan's Gentle Aesthetics to Shijiazhuang

The Osmanthus Grace is situated in the heart of Shijiazhuang's CLD, adjacent to a sports park. The GTD team designed the project to extend the natural resources of the park into the site, connecting the urban park and residences to form a green corridor. This strategic location, coupled with the city's rich high-end resources, makes the project a standout in the urban landscape.

The design of The Osmanthus Grace is a study in contrasts. The southern block, a three-story structure made of solid stone and all-glass transparent structures, forms a striking visual contrast on the main facade. The upper part of the glass block is covered with a fine metal grid, creating a play of transparency and translucency. The two-story northern block, made almost entirely of glass, provides a visual differentiation while maintaining elemental continuity with the southern block.

The project covers an area of 1983 sqm and serves multiple purposes. Initially, it will function as the sales center for Greentown's residences. Later, it will be transformed into a public service facility, demonstrating the design's flexibility and adaptability.

The design process involved several iterations of block combinations, including "linear", "L-shaped", and "centralized" layouts. The final layout features staggered, dual bar-shaped blocks that encircle internal and external courtyards. This layout not only provides a pleasant image but also allows for functional flexibility and integration with the site conditions to build a cohesive landscape space.

The biggest challenge the GTD team faced was creating a flexible and transparent architectural image that conveyed a light, clean, and pure architectural temperament. They used light and thin aluminum plates to connect the north and south blocks, achieving a lightweight visual effect. Long, slender steel columns in a row support the canopy's overhang, further enhancing the sense of lightness.

The Osmanthus Grace's unique design and innovative approach have not gone unnoticed. It was awarded Silver in the A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to the GTD team's creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence.