Feng Qi Wu Tong: A Harmonious Blend of Ancient and Modern Design

Yan Zhang's Award-Winning Landscape Design Merges Suzhou and Tang Dynasty Styles with Contemporary Techniques

Yan Zhang's inspiration for this design came from the rich architectural heritage of Suzhou, a renowned ancient garden city in China, and the Tang Dynasty. The landscape of Feng Qi Wu Tong employs the form of one axis and triple courtyards, symmetrical along the central axis. This creates a sense of ceremony with the Confucian ritual order for the external paradigm, while maintaining artistic beauty for the internal patterns.

What sets this design apart is its innovative approach to spatial arrangement. Breaking away from the determinant composition of conventional housing, Zhang adopts a settlements portfolio that restores the flexible spatial relationship found in traditional housing patterns. Through well-proportioned, interspersed, and occlusive arrangement of the single building space, it forms diverse cluster variations, produces distinct spatial feelings, and builds up a neighborhood atmosphere of traditional street features.

Environmentally friendly and economical materials were used in the construction of Feng Qi Wu Tong, reflecting the contemporary philosophy of eco-environment protection for sustainable development. The rainwater garden, constituted by plant clusters, effectively removes suspended particles, organic pollutants, and harmful substances such as heavy metal ions and pathogens in the stream flow.

The project, which covers a total area of 3200 square meters, was completed in April 2021. The design team, led by Yan Zhang and Zhen Wang, faced challenges in connecting the block buildings with curved lines. The winding corridor and loop design keep people entertained, while the carefully selected vegetation fits the atmosphere of the case in modeling and quality. The relatively open space integrates the scene design techniques of small courtyard, Japanese rock garden, and modern outdoor recreation to meet the daily recreational functions.

Instead of simple landscaping, Zhang ponders more about the inherent cultural literacy and appeals to the design method of gardening with the painting technique, to create an artistic conception of the space that is implicit and yet abundant, plain and tranquil. This approach to design, which integrates Su style and Tang Dynasty architecture with modern design contexts and construction techniques, has resulted in a fine community that meets the interests and needs of modern residents.

With its unique blend of ancient and modern design elements, Feng Qi Wu Tong is a testament to Yan Zhang's innovative approach to landscape design. The project not only provides a high-quality residential quarter but also contributes to the preservation and evolution of China's rich architectural heritage.