- Project: Heron Island No. 1
- Architect: BDSD Boundless Design
- Location: China, Huizhou
- Year: 2023
- Area: 1800 m2
- Photography: Hanmo Vision Yi Gao
Nestled within a lakeside villa community in Huizhou, China, Heron Island No. 1 is a visionary residential retreat designed by BDSD Boundless Design. Completed in 2023, this expansive 1,800㎡ (19,375 sf) home is a sanctuary for its residents—a place where time slows, stress dissipates, and nature takes center stage.
A Home Shaped by Nature
Surrounded by mountains, forest, and water, the villa was envisioned by its owner, Mr. Lin, as a private refuge from city life. The architects responded with a design that fuses architecture and landscape, creating a seamless dialogue between built form and the natural world.
From its rustic yet modern façade to its organic courtyards and panoramic glazing, the home is conceived as a “container for observing nature”—a vessel for presence and introspection.
Architectural Renovation: Simplicity with Substance
While the site originally featured an unfinished villa, BDSD redesigned the structure to enhance transparency, flow, and atmosphere. The architecture prioritizes:
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Clean, horizontal lines
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Earth-toned materials
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Refined restraint in form and ornament
At the entry, a rubble-stone half-wall filters views, establishing privacy without enclosure. Newly inserted windows and large glazed panels bathe interiors in natural light and frame views of the garden, inner lake, and sky.
A transparent foyer acts as a luminous threshold between the outside world and the peaceful interior.
The Courtyard as the Soul
The heart of the home lies in its multi-functional courtyard, organized into distinct zones:
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Dining Terrace
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Bonfire Lounge
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L-Shaped Infinity Pool
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Leisure Garden
The infinity pool connects visually to the lake beyond, enhancing spatial openness and inviting reflection. Pathways meander through the landscape, enabling uninterrupted movement between zones. When night falls, subtle lighting transforms the home into a glowing retreat, echoing across the still water.
Interiors: Sculptural, Minimal, and Immersive
The interior, designed with a sculptural sense of calm, embraces dark tones and natural textures. Black dominates the primary palette, contrasted by soft light, vertical slit windows, and natural accents. Every element—from curved staircases to monolithic rock slabs—is intentional and expressive.
Key features include:
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A black sculptural staircase that visually anchors the space
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Floor-to-ceiling windows that dissolve the boundary between inside and out
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Minimalist kitchens and bathrooms with luxurious scale and tactile refinement
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Furniture by Nobilia and carefully curated lighting pieces that balance boldness with softness
The bedrooms offer a counterpoint to the darkness of the shared spaces. Warm beige, soft greys, and textural elements create havens of rest and quiet intimacy.
A Home that Nurtures
More than just a vacation house, Heron Island No. 1 is an emotional landscape—a place designed for family, memory, and restoration. From bonfire-lit evenings to sun-drenched mornings, the villa invites its occupants to slow down, observe, and be present.
By embracing minimalism and blurring boundaries, BDSD Boundless Design has created a timeless home that centers the human spirit in nature’s rhythm.
