Xixi Wetland Estate

David Chipperfield’s residential development in the outskirts of Hangzhou, a composition of dark stone volumes surrounded by a water garden, integrates the atmosphere of this place and its omnipresent relationship between landscape, architecture, and water.

The value of solidity

Riva1920 creates solid wood furniture using certified or reclaimed materials, combining sustainability, high-quality craftsmanship, and timeless design. An Italian excellence focused on durability, transparency, and authenticity.

Sponsored content

Xixi, a national wetland park located on the outskirts of Hangzhou, is a built landscape and an area of nature, which has been shaped by man for over a thousand years.

The omnipresent relationship between landscape, architecture, and water is key to the atmosphere in Xixi. This atmosphere has been integrated into a new development of apartment buildings.

The apartment buildings are surrounded by a water garden, which, as a reference to the wetland park, is a mostly wild landscape. In contrast to these green surroundings, the buildings appear as dark stone volumes embedded in the water garden. They are, as is typical for villages in Xixi, placed on a stone plinth that sits in the water.

This plinth forms the base of a village group with various levels, walls, and balustrades creating a sequence of exterior spaces, which enable access to the buildings. The interiors are characterised by floating spaces. Room height windows allow for natural light and views over the water garden.

01 / 14