Project: Cipea Villa
Architects: Sanaksenaho Architects
Location: Nanjing, China
Photographs by: Tuomas Uusheimo
Cipea Villa by Sanaksenao Architects
The Cipea Villa is a distinct contemporary villa located on the edge of a lake in China’s Pearl Spring Tourist and Holiday Resort Zone in Nanjing. Designed by Sanaksenaho Architects, this stunning villa design definitely draws attention with its eccentric exterior design achieved with exposed concrete and large glazed surfaces facing the lake.
The villa is part of CIPEA, China International Practical Exhibition of Architecture, exhibit. It takes place in Pearl Spring Tourist and Holiday Resort Zone. There is a lake in the middle of the exhibition area. Green hills and springs surround the lake. The villa is a holiday-residence. It can also serve artists in their short-term stay for art creation, family and small group tour, meetings, seminars and short-term work.
The role of the building is to emphasize existing natural surroundings. The villa is reflected from the surface of the water.
Most public functions are situated on the entrance level. The conference room can be connected to the dining hall by opening a sliding wall. Living room opens to the lagoon with the window wall. Bedrooms are situated one floor down from the entrance level. The suite can be also an atelier for visiting artists.Two-storey suite/atelier is situated on the lowest level. The outdoor living is happening on a roof terrace.
The villa is boarded with green patinated copper. Inside surfaces are local cherry wood. Local natural stone covers the elevator tower, the fireplace and the roof terrace.
The aim of the villa is to create harmonious living in the nature. The villa might be seen also as a boat left to the shoreline or as a Chinese lantern reflected to the surface of the lake.
