Blue Bay Residential: Blurring Boundaries between Architecture and Nature

Combining Tradition and Innovation in Hainan

The Blue Bay Residential project draws inspiration from the blurred boundaries of traditional Hainan residential patterns. The design incorporates the shape of the Chinese character "Hui" to organize the living rooms around a central courtyard, reflecting the scattered and porous layout that is in harmony with the hot and windy climate. Additionally, the concept of a double first floor breaks the spatial certainty between the inside and outside, creating a dynamic and interconnected living space.

One of the strengths of the Blue Bay Residential design lies in its integration of architecture with nature. The local hot and rainy climate has influenced the design, resulting in architectural features such as courtyards, cold alleys, and deep eaves. The overall composition of the building, dominated by horizontal lines and strips, creates a stretchy and stable aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The design forms a romantic rural style, coinciding with the spacious golf course and the unfolded South China Sea.

In terms of realization technology, the Blue Bay Residential project takes into account the tropical monsoon climate and the need for shading and ventilation. The eaves of the houses are designed to provide optimal shading and privacy between the upper and lower units. The prefabricated slope roof system ensures both functional requirements are met. The spatial sequence of lobby-courtyard-hall-corridor creates a complete north-south air passage, enhancing the overall wind environment and ventilation within the residences.

The Blue Bay Residential project covers a total land area of 52,000 sqm, with a construction area of 25,000 sqm. The clever combination strategy of horizontal growth and mutual overlap solves the challenges of land capacity and the interface between architecture and nature. With 122 designed households, the project aims to create a new dialogue between the city and the countryside in the regional and contemporary context.

Shen Likun, Liang Yanwei, and Cheng Lingyan are the key members of the design team behind the Blue Bay Residential project. Their collaboration has resulted in a design that combines traditional living patterns with modern green architecture methods, offering a new architectural model that responds to the local climate and traditional living habits.

The Blue Bay Residential project began its design phase in September 2020 and construction commenced in June 2021 in Lingshui, Hainan. The project is expected to be completed in December 2023, providing residents with a unique living experience that embraces the local culture and environment.

The innovative design of Blue Bay Residential is a testament to the extensive research conducted on local traditional residences. The project draws inspiration from the macroscopic layout of villages, the mesoscopic organization of groups, and the microscopic architectural distribution found in traditional Hainanese architecture. By incorporating these elements, the design breaks away from regular residential textures and homogenized architectural styles, offering a new architectural model that harmonizes with nature.

The Blue Bay Residential project has received acclaim for its creative and technical achievements. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2022. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.

The Blue Bay Residential project, with its unique blend of tradition and innovation, showcases Likun Shen's commitment to creating designs that transcend boundaries and provide a harmonious living experience. By integrating architecture with nature, the project offers a new perspective on urban living, redefining the relationship between the city and the countryside.