PROJECT

DESCRIPTION

The last town sleeping on water, the land of fish and rice, home of silks, one of the Ten Most Charming Towns of China... The celebrated town of Wuzhen has earned numerous affectionate titles. As a living fossil of the ancient Asian civilization, Wuzhen is sui generis, with a lingering and palpable aura of antiquity. The sales office of Magnificent, Wuzhen stands on the south side of Ziye Road, clinging to the water surface. Only several li away from the town of Wuzhen, the location near this historic town gathers both its natural environment and humanistic atmosphere, sharing the sense of quiet docility and enduring grace.
At the gate of Magnificent, Wuzhen, one is greeted by a wisp of wind blowing past the water surface which gently shakes the budding shoots. The trees line the street and toss shadows on the whitewashed wall of the corridor. Each vista and vignette are redolent of the poetics and flair of the fabled Jiangnan region, piquing the interest in what is to come. Within a few steps, there is a slightly arched and neatly paved verandah serving as the entrance. An elegantly gnarled old tree in the middle of the drop-off square becomes the center of attention. The old tree sets the tone of the whole space. It not only fills a void in the otherwise empty square, but also invests the design with an unsophisticated and enduring quality. The reception area of the drop-off square is decorated with nothing but a bench and wood carvings. The natural ripple-like grain of the wood carvings corresponds to the wave-like pattern of the marble floor, and the bench stands like a bridge over the “ripples” and “waves”. A stroll past the winding corridor is a journey through time. A mass of handicrafts at the end of the corridor epitomizes the dyeing craft and aesthetics of Wuzhen, which is at once soft and powerful. The stone table of the sales desk is coated in a wood-like material to add warmth and natural appeal to the space.
The design of the scale model area possesses classical elegance and modern minimalism in equal measure. A unique light of traditional Wuzhen bamboo weaving is hung close to the ceiling of the spacious and clean lobby. The dense and slender bamboo stripes are extending, coiling and interweaving above the scale model. It is an emblem of the weaved texture of the past spiraling in a circular pattern. You flip the switch, and the limpid, water-like light pours through the bamboo weaving down on the scale model. The light is not dappled as expected, but evenly shrouds the model. It symbolizes the healing power of time to smooth away all the twists and turns. The dust will always settle and things will get back to normal.
The conversation area is decorated in the serene black of the tiles and white of the walls in Wuzhen, with wood fittings and comfortable furniture. The VIP area is a step further. Surrounded by wood grills, it is a sanctuary from the bustle outside, secluded but not cut off. Come and sit on a rainy evening to hear the raindrops drumming on the window sill, and fill a cup of fresh tea or old wine to sip by the foliage and flowers on the other side of the window. This encapsulates the peace and serenity of life in Wuzhen.
On the other side of the drop-off square is the north yard of the "family of the tiny bridge, and the flowing stream", as the poem has it. The concepts of "enclosing" and "hollowing" are reflected on the design. Vegetation, bridges and waterfalls are used to illustrate the serene and sophisticated conception of oneness with nature. You can easily take in the picturesque view from whichever angle you choose. It is an experience of the mingling and interaction between the lingering flavor of traditional Jiangnan and the techniques of modern architecture.
If Wuzhen were a voluminous tome of history, the buildings would be the strokes that record the ideas for posterity. Each generation revisits history from a different vantage point. But the attitude, flav