Excerpt: Luxe Lakes CPI Island, a project by Vari Architects, is focused on urban renewal and commercial iteration to revitalise abandoned properties, enhance waterfront connectivity, human habitation, and commerce. Vari Architects systematically renovated and expanded ten existing buildings and designed ten new ones, restoring the original site’s axis system and spatial relationships and paying tribute to the past with a new life.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The Luxe Lakes CPI Island Commercial Renewal Project is a collection of villa models located on the east side of Luke Island in the “Luxe Lakes Ecological City” of Chengdu. More than 20 former Luxe Lakes Villa models have been located on the island. CPI Island needs a revitalized urban renewal and commercial iteration to reset the idle old properties on these islands, activate the connection between waterfront, human habitation, and commerce.
Through a series of systematic planning and design, Vari Architects renovated and expanded ten existing buildings, and designed and built ten new buildings based on the terrain, reconstructing the axis system and spatial relationships of the original site – paying tribute to the past with a new life.
Design Concept: During the design process, two concepts – “Average Temperature” and “Subtle Scenery” defined by Japanese philosopher Washida Kiyokazu, are very inspiring to us. Average temperature signifies the typical or ordinary state of things in a city, capturing the essence or the norm of the city’s atmosphere, culture, or mood.
From this point of view, there is probably no better setting than Chengdu’s to shape a space imbued with a sense of relaxation. So naturally, the design of CPI project lays its emphasis on how to create a space of average temperature specific to Chengdu through a series of spatial strategies, highlighting its urbanistic character and norm of coziness and comfortableness, which Chengdu locals often refer to as “Chill”.
Building Design Approach: After completing the holistic design, Vari Architects continued to pursue “Average Temperature” at the architectural scale and focused on exploring the concept of “subtle scenery.” Subtle scenery, or “subtle landscapes,” refers to those delicate and often overlooked aspects of our sensory experiences and surroundings.
In design tactics, firstly, Vari Architects made full use of the micro-topography to create terraces and split-level spaces. This not only allows the architecture to harmonize with nature but also creates appropriate visual screens, resulting in layered spatial transparency.
Secondly, Vari Architects focused on the use of “gray spaces/semi-open space”. By incorporating cantilever designs, Vari Architects maximized the integration of Luxe Lakes Eco-Island’s natural ecology into the architectural space, blending people, buildings, and nature into a serene landscape; at the same time, the stepped terraces design fosters urban social spaces. Together, these elements create spaces that are both everyday and ceremonious.
Thirdly, Vari Architects adopted simple and effective forms to soften the architectural presence, making it approachable and even charming. Fourthly, they emphasized a unified color palette for the facade, using shades of gray and white. This was achieved through a diverse expression of materials such as concrete, paint, glass, and metal.
Holistic Design Approach: Vari Architects reconstructs CPI Island through three key “update” actions: The placement of spatial nodes; Renovation and construction of individual buildings.
Placement of node space – Secondly, Vari Architects embedded six small squares as core natural social spaces within the framework, creating friendly social areas and developing spatial nodes around them.
Building Renovation and New Construction – Thirdly, based on these nodes, six different groups were established, Vari Architects make precise insertion of new buildings and the proper alteration of the existing buildings, which as a result transforms the form of CPI from a dispersed field of singular typology into a “collective form” of varied morphologies that incorporate both centrality-oriented and semi-open clusters.
This two-step systematic design action creates a spatial network on CPI island for visitors to wander and linger as well as to explore and enjoy, echoing/highlighting the Genius-loci of Chengdu city.
Design Details: Among all Vari Architects designed buildings, there are 10 newly built buildings and 10 renovated buildings.
Node 1 Visitor Center Group
Add a second floor between W01 and the newly built W01-1 at the entrance, creating a very welcoming entrance square. The first floor of the building is fully open to the public, making the entire space rich and relaxed.
Node 2 Refreshment Group
W02 and W03 respectively use upward and horizontal growth design techniques to increase the continuity of the building, forming a completed lakeside landscape. W05 integrates the facade with a simple technique, using clear water textured paint paired with colorful steel columns to further highlight the geometric composition of this building.
Node 3 Pop-up Store Group
The newly built Pop-up group, guided and restricted, has transformed the originally spacious and open space into the most interesting part of the entire project, providing a rich spatial experience and playing an important role as the intersection square of the triple transportation axis.
Node 4 Communal Group
Through the obstruction of the W20-1 radio station and the W19 curved gallery, the space in the two areas is connected by a narrow landscape road. This curved walkway itself provides a richer spatial experience, and several interesting small buildings form a living community group.
Node 5 Design & Culture Group
The original building of W11 has been transformed into a bookstore, with an additional exhibition hall located in the center of the entire project. The first floor is elevated, and opposite the pier is another main entrance to the entire site. The elevated layer can host small events, activating the connection between human habitation and waterfront.
Vari Architects adopt a humble and restrained approach, focusing on highlighting the spirit of place characterized by a sense of calmness and relaxation. By integrating the existing architectural structures and topographical features, it aims to achieve a design pursuit of average temperatures and subtle sceneries. Through this approach, the project explores and showcases the evolving yet enduring essence of Chengdu’s urbanistic character.
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