Aerial Photo of the Renovated Luxe Lakes CPI Project © Existing Architecture

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.

Satellite Image of Luke Island and the project site before renovation © vari architects

Overall Axon View © vari architects

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.

The Subtle Scenery of Average Temperature © Existing Architecture

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”.

The Subtle Scenery of Average Temperature © Existing Architecture

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.

The Subtle Scenery of Average Temperature © Existing Architecture

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.

Micro-topography Utilization © Existing Architecture

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.

W11 A8 Art Center Grey Space Design © Existing Architecture

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.

Simple Architectural Facade Form and Expression Vocabulary © Existing Architecture

vari architects reconstructs CPI Island through three key "update" actions:The placement of spatial nodes;Renovation and construction of individual buildings.

Comparison of Morphology before and after the Renovation © vari architects

Upper level axis © vari architects

Upper level axis street view © Existing Architecture

Middle level axis © vari architects

Middle level axis street view © Blue Orange Photography

Lower level axis © vari architects

Lower level axis street view © Existing Architecture

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.

Six Different but Interconnected Clusters © vari architects

Thirdly, based on these nodes, we established six different groups, 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.

Looks at the entrance of W01-1 and W1, Entrance Square © Existing Architecture

POP-UP Square © Existing Architecture

Space for Tourists to Wander, Stay, Explore, and Experience © Existing Architecture

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.

Axis Update & Node Update & Building Update © vari architects

Ground Floor Plan © vari architects

Among all vari architects designed buildings, there are 10 newly built buildings and 10 renovated buildings.

Building Design Detail Illustrations © vari architects

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.

W01-1 © Existing Architecture

W01-1 & W01 © Existing Architecture

W01 © Existing Architecture

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.

W03 © Existing Architecture

W05 © Existing Architecture

W05 © Existing Architecture

W05 © Blue Orange Photography

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.

POP-UP W06 & POP-UP W07 © Existing Architecture

POP-UP W21 & POP-UP W08 © Existing Architecture

POP-UP W07 & POP-UP W08 © Existing Architecture

POP-UP W21 © Existing Architecture

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.

W19 © Blue Orange Photography

W19 © Existing Architecture

W20-1 © Existing Architecture

W24 & W25 © Existing Architecture

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.

W11 © Existing Architecture

Aerial Photo of the Renovated Luxe Lakes CPI Project © Existing Architecture

Vari architects adopts 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 temperatured subtle sceneries. Through this approach, the project explores and showcases the evolving yet enduring essence of Chengdu's urbanistic character.

Project location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Project time: 2022.10 - 2024.4
Owner: Chengdu Wide Horizon Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
Owner Design Management (Architecture):
Chengdu Luhu Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd.: Xi Luo, Xinyin Liang, Guoqin Li, Chuanxi Zhu
Chengdu Wide Horizon New City Investment and Development Co., Ltd.: Jiuxu Bai，Kaiwen Wang
Building area: 7000 square meters
Architectural Design: vari architects
Contact e-mail：vari_architects@163.com
Lead architects: Fan Qi, Dingliang Yang
Project architects: Panao Feng, Chenxin Wang, Handan Tang, Xiaoyu Ding, Mou, Jun Li
Construction unit: Tutai Construction Group, Dingyu Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Construction drawing design: Zhoyu Design Group Co., Ltd.；Sichuan Zhonghengzhuke Survey and Design Co., Ltd.
Landscape Design: Yudao Landscape
Lighting Design: BPI Lighting Consultant Design Company
Curtain wall deepening design: Zhoyu Design Group Co., Ltd.
Photography: Existing Architecture, Blue Orange Photography
Copywriting: Fan Qi, Dingliang Yang, Chenxin Wang