The Opus One transforms exceptional complexity through creativity. Despite its modest footprint, which is less than 300 ㎡, it marries classic elegance with contemporary flair creating various functions to promise an ever-evolving experience for all who encounter it.
By creating landscapes, we can break away from fixed northern landscapes. By transforming building pipelines into landscape designs and incorporating plants, we can effectively mitigate the urban heat island effect. This establishes a pleasant microclimate that enhances biodiversity and attracts birds in their natural habitat. Ultimately, this ecological oasis becomes an integral part of the bustling urban center.
The site was a storage roof in a renewed mix-used tower situated in the heart of Shenyang, China. Despite its simple scope of converting to two gardens, the renovation presents many challenges. The dominant ventilation ducts disrupt the room into segments. The net height is only 3.4m with no chance to expand. Besides, all materials can only be transported on-site via one freight elevator.
First off, the design strategy of both gardens focuses on hiding equipment and programming the space between the columns. "More is more" is the concept of the Black Garden. Starting from the entrance, the dining area, and the relaxing zoom, each black space between the columns is seamlessly connected by additional beams, conjuring a mystery and opulence garden.
The entrance connects indoor and outdoor spaces, with lush greenery and mirrored architectural details creating harmony. The design divides the space into dining and rest areas, optimizing landscape views. Air planting boxes add greenery rarely seen in the region, while hanging plants define functional spaces. A sculptural stair space connects upper and lower floors.
The two-storey floating corridor features a central resting platform that offers an enhanced vantage point for panoramic views, allowing one to gaze into the distance. Additionally, its transparent metal netting ensures ample natural light permeates the lower space while alleviating any sense of confinement in the sunken area.
In contrast, "Simplicity" inspires the design of the White Garden. The design forms complex pipelines into a series of simpler rooms, a dry garden, a sunken living room, and a barbeque area providing scenic views of the adjacent River. The use of white metal mesh amplifies light and shadow, enhancing the special luminosity and dreamy ambiance.
Secondly, to balance the net height and the topsoil depth, the design raises only the pathway by 0.45m for the minimal need for planting and a drainage system. Small sculptural trees were carefully picked to highlight the room's structural beauty. For construction, the design created modular segmentations to fit the elevator dimension.
In terms of plant design and arrangement, we have successfully deviated from the conventional patterns used in northern regions. Our aim is to achieve a harmonious and natural aesthetic while also meeting the specific growth requirements of cold climates. Each functional area and section corresponds to its unique characteristics, resulting in diverse plant atmospheres. Considering load limitations and soil coverage constraints, tree selection is meticulously carried out based on spatial framing effects, with emphasis placed on quality rather than quantity through separate adjustments in planting depth. However, plants serve a purpose beyond their beauty; they act as effective tools for mitigating greenhouse gases and reducing urban heat island effects in nature. By creating pleasant microclimates, biodiversity naturally flourishes, attracting various small visitors such as birds to this ecological oasis amidst the bustling urban center.
Though each area had its unique character, the harmony occurs by using the same materials and details. Together, past and present harmoniously formed a timeless place ready to embrace the changing tapestry.
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