FREEDOM LAND

Taking “You need not sail afar—I have my own island” as its conceptual origin,China Merchants’ FREEDOM LAND reinterprets the imagery of an island into a multidimensional,nature-integrated living environment. The project employs a spatial framework of “One Axis,Three Courtyards, and Five Realms,” orchestrating a five-stage sequence of homecoming—from the urban interface to private entryways—while respecting the site’s ecological foundation. Blending contemporary aesthetics with sustainable principles, it creates a serene, forest-inspired island community imbued with a sense of spiritual belonging.

The design emphasizes a dual experience: natural comfort paired with relaxed sophistication. Material selection prioritizes locally sourced, renewable resources and low-embodied-carbon building products—such as Chenxiang Beige stone and translucent onyx—balancing durability with refined aesthetic expression. The water feature system incorporates rainwater harvesting and recirculation mechanisms; cascading streams, waterfalls, and still pools not only enrich sensory layers but also function as microclimate regulators, enhancing thermal comfort across the site.

Planting strategies center on native tree species—including Chinese tallow, olive, and Podocarpus—combined with multi-layered groundcovers and understory spaces to form near-natural plant communities that boost biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity.

Spatial organization blurs the boundary between architecture and nature through interventions like sunken courtyards,artistic floating bridges, and woodland seating nooks, achieving seamless indoor-outdoor integration. In particular, the “Floating Island Stroll” and “Whispers in the Woods” zones adopt an island-like layout that mimics mountainous forest textures, inviting residents to slow down and attune themselves to shifting light, water sounds, and seasonal rhythms—deepening emotional connections with nature.

All rest areas are carefully positioned to avoid existing vegetation, utilizing elevated or minimally invasive construction techniques to minimize soil and root disturbance.The lighting system features low-intensity,warm-toned LED fixtures, inspired by the “Rolls-Royce starlight headliner” concept: discrete points of light simulate starlight, creating a sense of ceremony while preventing light pollution.

Paving patterns draw inspiration from Van Cleef & Arpels’ gemstone motifs, realized through modular prefabrication to reduce on-site cutting waste—exemplifying precision craftsmanship and resource efficiency.

More than a visually luxurious residence, FREEDOM LAND is a profound exploration of ecological responsibility, sensory healing, and sustainable living.Here, every “island” becomes a miniature cosmos where humans and nature coexist in harmony.