Located in the villa area of Sunhe, Chaoyang District, this project is adjacent to the Wenyu River wetland park, Sunhe subway station and an array of educational and medical institutions. The site of about 420,000 square feet will be developed into low-density luxury residences. The project is under construction and it will provide a total gross floor area of about 460,000 square feet for 150 households upon scheduled completion in the second quarter of 2023.
What is Home?
Home is not just a physical space, but also a culture, a period of time, and a feeling. It is the source of people’s sense of belonging and security, and the haven for their souls. At home, we can enjoy a warm atmosphere, experience growth and change together, and learn and grow from the values and traditions passed down among family members. Home guides us in the direction of progress, gives us the motivation to move forward, and enables us to face life’s challenges with courage.
Regardless of the stage of life, whether in joy or sorrow, home is always the spiritual haven of people. At home, we can find the feeling of coming home, receiving the love and support of family members, and together creating a warm, harmonious, and happy family atmosphere. Therefore, home is one of the most precious treasures in our lives, and we should cherish and protect it so that home becomes the most beautiful memory and haven in our lives.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on people’s way of life. Hybrid-working and studying mean that people need more space at home to accommodate this way of work and study, so many may begin to look for larger housing spaces or single-family homes to meet their family’s needs. Additionally, with increased time spent at home, there has been a shift in home interior design needs, with people placing greater emphasis on comfort, entertainment facilities, and office space to meet the demands of longer periods of working and entertainment at home. This indicates that people place greater importance on the functionality and comfort of their homes, and seek accommodations that better suit their work, study, and entertainment needs.
On the other hand, the pandemic has also spurred the popularity of digital entertainment, such as online gaming, streaming video, and virtual reality. Furthermore, due to social distancing measures during the pandemic, people began to engage in outdoor and solo activities to entertain themselves, avoiding crowded areas. This indicates a change in people’s entertainment preferences, with an increased demand for digital entertainment, and a more diverse range of options for outdoor and solo activities.
In addition, the pandemic has had far-reaching effects on people’s social and communication patterns. Social distancing and lockdown measures have forced people to resort to social media, video calls, and other means to maintain contact. This shows that people need to find new ways to maintain social relationships and networks, and the application of digital technology has enabled people to stay connected during the pandemic.
Overall, people’s way of life has undergone significant changes during the pandemic. These changes have not only affected their family life and entertainment preferences but have also altered their work and study patterns, as well as their social and communication modes. These changes have prompted people to pay more attention to health and family life and adopt more digital and secure ways of working, learning, and entertainment.
The Beijing central axis is a line that runs through the centre of Beijing, connecting many historical and cultural heritage sites and attractions such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The central axis is also an important symbol of Beijing’s urban planning and construction, embodying the history and modernization of the city.
Besides the central axis, Beijing has a well-developed ring road system consisting of the Second, Third, and Fourth Ring Roads. The Second Ring Road is an important road adjacent to the central axis, connecting the main commercial and residential areas of Beijing with a length of approximately 32 kilometres. The Third Ring Road is located outside the Second Ring Road and connects the main transportation hubs and business districts. It is home to many important buildings and attractions such as the National Stadium and the Beijing South Railway Station. The Fourth Ring Road is an important area for the development of Beijing, with many commercial centres and technology parks located along its route. Together, these ring roads form an essential part of Beijing’s urban development and transportation system.
Overall, the central axis, second ring road, third ring road, and fourth ring road are important traffic arteries and development areas in Beijing, which have had a profound impact on the development and transformation of the city.
One of the most prominent achievements in ancient Beijing's urban construction is the radial pattern centred on the palace city and the city's central axis. This central axis runs through the entire centre of Beijing, connecting the historic royal buildings and cultural heritage sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. This urban design exemplifies the characteristics of ancient Chinese urban planning, emphasizing the order and symmetry of urban space and the connectivity and integrity of the city.
The central axis is not only a street but also a cultural symbol and historical heritage of Beijing, representing the essence of ancient Chinese urban planning and architecture. The “majestic grandeur” mentioned by Liang Sicheng is precisely the unique charm and value of the central axis. The buildings and attractions along the central axis complement each other and resonate with each other, forming a perfect urban landscape.
Overall, the radial pattern centred on the palace city and the urban central axis design of Beijing is one of the outstanding representatives of ancient Chinese urban planning and architecture, with profound historical significance and cultural value. This urban planning and architectural concept have influenced China’s urban development for hundreds of years and has also influenced the development of world urban planning and architecture to a certain extent.
According to the traditional “Lung Maio She, Chong Que Tan” regulation, various altar temple buildings were arranged symmetrically on both sides of the central axis of Beijing. This is an important way of traditional Chinese urban planning.
In this residential design, the axis and ring roads of Beijing’s urban planning are incorporated. First, by removing the slab of the atrium, the ceiling height was increased, making the entire building look more spacious.
Then, on the third floor, the foyer, living room, and tea room are set on the axis in a symmetrical manner, adding a noble and special feeling. On either side of the axis are the bedrooms and dining room, achieving a separation of movement and stillness through the axis.
The stairs lead to the fourth floor, where the foyer and resting area are still set on the axis, while the daughter and son’s rooms and James and Emma’s room are set on either side of the axis. Each room has a multifunctional space, inspired by the design of Beijing’s courtyard houses, making each room more flexible and practical. The entire design of the residence fully utilizes the characteristics of Beijing’s urban planning, creating a unique atmosphere and practicality.
Incorporating the axis and ring roads from urban planning into the residential design can achieve a customized effect tailored to individual needs. Each family has different lifestyles and habits, so the space planning should be simple and direct, maximizing functionality. The design based on the axis and ring roads can be flexibly adjusted according to the specific geographical environment and site conditions to achieve optimal lighting, ventilation, and views. In addition, incorporating the characteristics of urban planning into the residential design can also create a unique cultural atmosphere, allowing residents to feel the history, culture, and style of the city at home, enhancing their sense of belonging and comfort.
Designing a family space requires consideration of individual needs and lifestyles. By incorporating the axis and ring roads from urban planning into residential design, it is possible to customize the design to meet the specific needs of each family, maximizing their living requirements. Additionally, a simple and direct space plan can improve the comfort of the home, making life more convenient and comfortable.
In the future, home is likely to become a more versatile and adaptable space, with greater emphasis on technology and sustainability. As remote work becomes more prevalent, homes will need to provide spaces that are conducive to productivity and communication, such as dedicated home offices or soundproofed rooms for video conferences. At the same time, homes will continue to serve as places for relaxation and leisure, with more attention given to features such as comfortable seating, entertainment systems, and outdoor spaces.
Sustainability will also play a larger role in future homes, with a greater focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials. Smart home technology will become more widespread, allowing homeowners to control and monitor their energy usage, lighting, and security systems remotely.
Overall, the future home will be a more connected, efficient, and adaptable space, designed to meet the changing needs of modern living.
