Jinmao Mansion, Jiangning, Nanjing

Jinmao Mansion · Jiulong Lake Residence, Jiangning, Nanjing: A Poetic Dwelling Practice of "Flowing Landscape"
Nestled within the Jiulong Lake area of Jiangning, Nanjing, the project is situated within the city's millennia-old tapestry of "mountains, waters, city, and forests." This specific locale, with its unique terrestrial vein described as "the mountain dragon winding southward, where qi coalesces into form," carries the profound natural and cultural lineage of Jinling's southern wing. The genesis and ultimate purpose of the design extend beyond merely constructing a physical shelter; it is a response to a more profound contemporary inquiry: within the context of a rapidly developing modern metropolis, how can we re-establish the connection between humans and the natural world? How can we reconstruct a form of dwelling within a site where "mountains arrive with origin, and waters gather with momentum"—one that possesses the spiritual core of Eastern landscape philosophy while aligning with modern lifestyles and aesthetics?
To this end, we proposed the core design concept of "Flowing Landscape." Its philosophical essence lies in being "born from nature, returning to artistic conception," aiming to transcend mere imitation or symbolic reference of natural elements. It seeks to return design to the true essence of dwelling—a state of inhabitation where body, mind, and environment resonate in harmony. Our intention is to create not just a "visual vessel" to be viewed and admired, but a three-dimensional field of life that can be traversed, inhabited, experienced, and felt. Here, the essence of landscape is no longer confined by walls; instead, it transforms into a flowing presence that permeates every dimension—architecture, landscape, interior, and daily life.
The realization of this concept begins with the dissolution and reconstruction of spatial boundaries. We abandoned traditional compartmentalized thinking. Guided by a holistic design vision for the project, we sought to blur the lines between nature and space. The architectural layout was carefully considered in dialogue with the lake views and mountain contours, resulting in volumetric relationships that are staggered in height and nuanced in advance and retreat. Landscape is no longer an independent green accessory but acts as one of the primary "directors" of space. Through layered courtyards, sky gardens, sunken courtyards, and boundless water features, it achieves three-dimensional permeation across ground level, underground, and aerial spaces. One step away from urban vibrancy, one step into serene tranquility—with each shift in perspective, a contemporary rendition of a "Travelers among Mountains and Streams" scroll gradually unfolds. On the ground floor, a sheltered promenade serves as the spatial spine. It connects the reception area, viewing platforms, open lounge, in-depth discussion zones, and a quiet reading nook into a fluid whole. Glass curtain walls maximally dissolve the visual barrier between inside and out, achieving a "boundless fusion" of landscape and space.
The response to cultural context is deeply embedded within the "artistic conception" and "texture" of the space. We profoundly understand the Eastern wisdom of "mountains as form, water as spirit." Spatial circulation mimics the winding and exploratory nature of mountain paths, while the opening and closing of sightlines draw inspiration from the gathering, dispersing, and rhythm of water flow. Simultaneously, we undertook a contemporary translation and "activation" of Nanjing's most representative intangible cultural heritage—the Yunjin brocade technique. This is not a conventional display of artifacts but a deep cultural "search for roots." In the reception area, a piece of modern art themed around Yunjin weaving serves as a powerful cultural symbol, awakening memories of the historical grandeur of the Jiangning Weaving Bureau. We translated the "textural beauty," "lustrous beauty," and "conceptual beauty" of Yunjin into the design language of the space: its essence is visible in the warp-and-weft interplay of materials, the subtle sheen of metal details, and the abstract refinement of colors and patterns. This transforms a millennia-old craft from a museum display case into a spatial texture that can be perceived and touched by modern individuals. It achieves a harmonious unity between traditional aesthetics and modern minimalist style, allowing the space itself to become a "flowing historical scroll."
The material and color palette form the skeleton that constructs the spatial theme and value. We juxtaposed two major systems—"The Craftsmanship of Weaving" and "The Eternal Collection of Luxurious Stone"—to build a sense of high-end value that combines cultural depth with material rarity. On one hand, the artisanal spirit of Yunjin runs throughout, creating a unique "aesthetics of warp and weft." On the other, adhering to the material selection standards of globally top-tier luxury hotels, we rigorously sourced rare stones from around the world with irreplicable textures. For color, we used earth tones and cloud-water grays as the base, accented with misty blue and golden apricot. The overall palette is warm, elegant, and refined, as if distilled from the landscapes south of the Yangtze River and its shifting dawns and dusks—serene yet brimming with boundless vitality.
Finally, if one word were to describe this space, it would be "Vitality." It resembles a reserved yet profound Eastern sage, with a demeanor as gentle as jade and an inner world as vast as the ocean. He is deeply rooted in the landscape heritage and traditional essence of Jiangning, yet faces contemporary life with an open and inclusive posture. He pursues ultimate tranquility and privacy, yet nurtures vibrant, upward-growing energy. Here, the ultimate purpose of the design is to reconstruct connections: between humans and nature, between humans and culture, between people, and—between individuals and their inner selves. Jinmao Mansion · Jiulong Lake Residence, Jiangning, is not merely a physical sanctuary; it is a promised land for the continual exploration of life's meaning and the settling of the spirit.