The Garden Island Countyard Renewal in China by epos architecture.

The site of the historic Chengdu Garden Hotel in Sichuan, China was in danger of demolition, before being rescued and repurposed into offices by epos architecture. Distinguished by its verdant greenery, the design aims to retain the original characteristics of the hotel garden while being careful not to erase traces of its evolution over the years.

Applying a strategy of modification rather than demolition was key, with the architects following a ‘minimum intervention’ approach due to limited budget and site conditions. A shaded walkway follows the original garden path, while the former hotel lobby is transformed into a tea house. The path is a closed loop, with the central tea house forming both the start and end points of the Garden Island Countyard.

The raised pathway enhances the landscape of “proper dense, various views, full of twists and turns,” according to the architects.

The shaded walkway is constructed of lightweight steel, with thin columns, beams and the path coated with charcoal fluorocarbon paint. The colour conceals the material properties of the steel, creating a path that is beyond material perception. Enhancing the rocky, plant-filled surrounds, the path is enlarged in some places with rest-friendly nooks, intended to provide ‘in-motion’ and ‘in-position’ viewing opportunities amongst the courtyard. The architects intended to transform what was once an ornamental location into one where people are encouraged to mingle, share and communicate.

Garden Island Countyard is surrounded by the offices of various different organisations, with the contemporary garden acting as the communal hub. Epos architecture explains, “the original design intent is not to design a garden, but to create an environment overlapping daily life and poetic scenes, which is exactly in line with the spirit of Chinese traditional gardens.”

Beyond your standard workplace courtyard, the architects aimed to imbue the garden with an atmosphere of tranquil spirituality. The minimal walkway structure draws attention to the garden, whilst large round windows in the teahouse allow for non-stop views of the surrounding greenery.