SPIRE CAROL (JINCHEN JIANG SHAN FU)

This project is located in Dezhou, historically known as “the thoroughfare to nine regions” and “the gateway to the imperial capital.” Adjacent to Dongzi Garden and the city’s green core, the site is enriched with natural landscapes and deep cultural heritage. The design respects these local endowments and aspires to create an Oriental artistic realm grounded in humanistic values, embedding the aesthetic vision of Jinchen into the spirit of this land. Following the concept of “suspended geometric poetry, folded Oriental aesthetics,” the design creates layered spatial sequences through the folding of forms and the interplay of light and shadow. Inspired by Carlo Scarpa’s stepped spatial logic, deconstructivist lines define each space with precision, forming poetic expressions in three-dimensional corridors reminiscent of monument valleys. Water courtyards, floating islands, and interwoven reflections evoke a four-dimensional visual painting. Rooted in the theme of “old charm in new expressions,” the design integrates Eastern cultural symbolism with contemporary minimalism. Carefully placed pine trees, textured stones, flowing streams, and cascading waterfalls compose a landscape rich in Oriental meaning. The courtyard’s winding bridges, varying elevations, and immersive circulation create diverse and engaging experiences. Natural materials like Bulgari green stone and rough stone skins contrast in texture, fostering both visual depth and tactile interest. The design’s uniqueness lies in its “triple translation” methodology—blending Oriental art, natural landscapes, and modern stepped aesthetics through the lenses of nature, culture, and contemporary reinterpretation. It transforms elevation challenges into vertical surprises and spatial richness. Despite its compact site, the project successfully builds layered, livable scenes—spaces for wandering, pausing, and reflecting—that echo the longing for a joyful, nature-infused life. Additionally, sustainability is thoughtfully addressed: rain gardens and water circulation systems reduce water waste and support ecological responsibility.