Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Luxe Lake Villas by Margaret Griffin and John Enright of Griffin Enright Architecture for Qing Wang Wide Horizon Group reformulates an architectural typology, with focus on passive warming/cooling, thermal stability, energy-saving appliances and mechanical systems, and other measures for reducing energy requirements. 

Luxe Lakes Villas is a community of 46 new residences comprised of six different prototypical semi-urban residences situated on an island in a new urban lake in Chengdu, China. 

In this project, an urban typology (the townhome) is transformed to accommodate lakeside views while also creating garden courtyards.

For its inspired and energy-saving design, Luxe Lakes Villas has recently been awarded a 2022 American Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Connected by waterways, the new islands create an urban density that is part of a larger central district. 

The design strategy for the villas is to rethink the row house typology by deforming each villa plan at its center.

Each of the six villa types is pinched to create a new courtyard, allowing views from the street-side of each property and creating sinuous internal pathways with framed views of the natural surroundings. 

In each villa, the movement through space is choreographed in relation to swerving skylights that bring natural light into the interiors. 

The major axis of each house links the street side with the lakeside along a curving spine that hides and then reveals the view to the lake.

At each shift off the path, a view is framed, or a room with a view is discovered. 

The deformation of the main spine of the house defines public and private spaces, divides spaces by creating pathways, and directs views of the lakes and courtyard.

The form of the villas is the result of these deformations and their corollary narrative intent. 

Together, the multiple villa types combine to create a new take on the semi-urban typology, one that is adaptable to a hybrid site with dense housing in an organic framework. 

Strategic design of overhangs and day-lighting techniques create well-lit, yet thermally stable environments.

Skylights bring indirect light deep into the interiors, saving energy because no lights are required during the day. 

Overhangs protect windows and doors from the harsh sun, naturally protecting interiors from thermal heat gain.

Highly insulated, energy-saving windows and doors in strategic locations utilize appropriate sun angles to create a thermally stable environment. 

Openings at opposite ends of the house promote interior breezes, such that artificial cooling systems are rarely needed.

Energy-saving appliances, highly efficient mechanical systems, and LED lighting also reduce energy requirements. 

Highly insulated, high-performance wall and roof systems create thermal stability.

Private garden courtyards are planted with local plants and ground cover and contribute to the ecology of the lake, while maintaining the porous condition of the site as a means of sustainability. 

The plant materials contribute to the local ecology in the community, as well as the larger environment of the new city.

The garden and house are designed as an integrated whole, allowing the house to engage in its environment.

Project: Luxe Lake Villas
Architects: Griffin Enright Architects
Lead Architects: Margaret Griffin and John Enright
Design Team: Jian Huang, Christine Chow, Brian Harms, Lucia Bartholomew, Nanao Shimizu, Matheos Asfaw, Joe Carlos, Monica McKay, Kefilwe Mogorosi, Karen Kim, Aaron Ryan, Kiley Feickert, and Evan Collins
Client: Qing Wang Wide Horizon Group
Photographers: Arch Exist Photography