Working together with Michael Bradley Architecture, RKD has developed initial sketch schemes and feasibility studies for a luxury lakeside resort on Dianshan Lake in Shanghai’s opulent Qingou district.
The design evokes the Suzhou garden style by combining traditional courtyard architecture and water town features with modern elements in a clean and progressive manner. The intended visitor experience is for a modern luxury resort respectful of its historic surroundings. The design proposal suggests a 5-star 350-room resort with sailing club, entertainment facilities, indoor and outdoor sports facilities and extensive landscaped gardens to the lake edge. The main entrance road is a formal tree-lined boulevard with feature lighting which terminates at the set-down area for the entrance building. Apart from the entrance road the site is basically car-free with alternative parking and transport strategies such as electric golf carts emplaced.
The main reception building features a double-height glazed atrium with solar control elements customised to approach the Suzhou lake style.
In close proximity to the reception building is the yacht club, whose streets and walkways are intended to evoke the traditional canal side streets of the Yangtze delta water villages. The colours and materials of the buildings and landscaping of the waterside walkways interpret the water town feel in a modern 21st century architectural language.
