Reviving Traditional Chinese Gardens in Modern Landscaping: Poly Tianhuan Garden

IAPA Pty. Ltd's Award-Winning Landscape Design Merges Nature and Architecture

The Poly Tianhuan Garden, located in Foshan, Guangdong, is a testament to the innovative design thinking of IAPA Pty. Ltd. The project, spanning over 19,368 square meters, is a unique blend of architecture and landscape. It is a modern reimagining of the traditional Chinese garden, where artificial green hills and undulating topographic changes mimic the qualities of a natural environment.

The design team, led by Yu Ding and Paul Bo Peng, used natural materials like stones and wood to create a feeling of being in nature. The use of white hemp granite for pavement and concrete for curvilinear surfaces further enhances the fluidity and smoothness of the natural environment. The furniture, made from perforated metal plates, adds a modern touch to the traditional setting.

The garden serves as a mediator between the interior and exterior spaces, maximizing connectivity and blurring boundaries. The space is designed sequentially, incorporating multiple spaces and various landscaping elements. This design approach offers users the opportunity to discover the space at different levels, creating a discoverable environment.

The design process was not without its challenges. The garden is embedded in a residential site and serves as a social interaction space for different groups of people. It had to be inviting and welcoming for potential buyers, while also transitioning into a semi-private space for permanent residents after the sale of the apartment units. This required a high level of flexibility in the design to cater to the project's varying demands.

The Poly Tianhuan Garden is a remarkable example of how traditional design concepts can be reimagined in a contemporary context. It was awarded the Silver A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award in 2020, a testament to its innovative design and execution. The award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.