Architecture

Hefei Golf Club Residencies

Brief

As part of a previously designed golf course in the beautiful region of Hefei, Keppie was asked to provide international design solutions for high quality residences for the Yuanyi Group. The houses were to sit sensitively within the landscaped setting as an integrated part of the golf course environment. The design of a house is an unusual challenge, grouping them together to create a community is even more so.  It is the one building type we all have experience of, yet the cultural differences of privacy, hierarchy and permeability have to be fully appreciated.

As part of a beautiful golf course environment there are pragmatic issues to deal with.  Close proximity and desired outlook across the fairways needs to be balanced by safety and a respect for the concentration required by golfers.

Response

We were extremely enthusiastic about the opportunities presented by the site and the intention to develop it in the way suggested by the current masterplan. Our approach was to accumulate as much knowledge about the context and the cultural traditions as possible and apply this to a contemporary attitude. This process married a growing understanding of the combination of practical and sustainable materials such as wood, glass and brick to produce a cohesive and ordered result.

Outcome

Our initial ideas for the houses were well received by our Client, primarily because we demonstrated an understanding of the cultural traditions which underpin Chinese domestic architecture. One of the most striking aspects of this is the practice of making houses face south. Feng-shui concepts also featured in the kinds of material we were proposing. Combined with the location of the building, the proper building materials were thought to re-direct beneficial energy for the inhabitants. The most common building materials for houses in China are earth and wood, both of which have positive associations. The house types are developed offering large scale luxurious living between two hundred and fifty square metres and four hundred square metres.

Team