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SPARK
PRESS RELEASE
Forte Nanshan
Chongqing / China
Design Concept
SPARK’s playful Clubhouse in Chongqing has opened to the public. The Clubhouse is the
first part of a series of leisure facilities SPARK designed for a large villa community in the
outskirts of Chongqing.
Apart from the 5,500 sqm clubhouse SPARK’s masterplan proposal includes a 12,000sqm
hotel and a 13,000sqm outdoor retail street which will be completed early 2013.
” The uniqueness of the site was the source of inspiration for our design”, says Jan
Clostermann, Director at SPARK. The design aims to embody the site’s steep topography,
beautiful greenery and scenic views in the spatial experience of the architecture. The hotel,
clubhouse and retail elements become part of a scenic route from a panoramic lookout fifty
meters above the community down into the valley. Along this dramatic descent program
has been carefully placed to respond to the topography and community needs. Thus, in the
process of meandering through the landscape, one engages in activities that foster a healthy
community and social interaction.
The clubhouse forms the centre point of this leisure route. It functions as a mediating icon
that brings residents, visitors, and all the elements of the master plan together.
It was formally conceived as a continuous folded loop that pivots from a common double
height space. The common space links together the different programmatic elements of the
building; including a gym, a swimming pool, children playground, offices, arts-and-crafts
classrooms, meeting rooms, a restaurant and a café. The design responds to the client
needs by allowing this common space to be temporarily utilized as a showroom and sales
floor for the villas. Surrounding the clubhouse is a shallow reflective lake abundant with carp
and lotus. Wooden platforms outline the periphery of the building and bridge across the lake
to connect the lobby with the residential villas.
Like the hotel and the retail street SPARK aimed to embed the clubhouse into the existing
topography. There is a 5 meter level difference between the side facing the street and the
side opening up to a shallow lake.
The roof folds down towards the main entry forming outdoor seating continuing the scenic
route along the roof down towards the water. Thus the clubhouse seems to grow from the
ground when approaching the main entry, and rising out of the reflecting water surface five
meters lower on the opposite side of the building.
This terraced space is echoed in the interior spaces where the visitors enter into a low
ceilinged space to descend into the double height space that is now used as the sales room.
The materiality aims to blend the building into its natural setting by employing is a simple
palette of textured granites and glass.
By embracing the existing topographic conditions and integrating the water edge to be
one of the main features of the design, SPARK has created a memorable indoor - outdoor
experience for both residents and visitors alike.
Project Data:
Construction Started/Completed: 2011_April -2011_October
Total GFA (sqm): Clubhouse/Showroom: 5420m2
Credits:
Architecture: SPARK
Project Director: Jan Felix Clostermann
Team: Eldine Heep, Leonardo Micolta, Javen Ho
Client: Forte
Interiors: One Plus Partnership Limited
Landscape: Hassell/Hong Kong
LDI: Chongqing Design Institute
Structure: Chongqing Design Institute
Architectural Photography: Jonathan Leijonhufvud
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On SPARK:
SPARK is an award-winning international architectural and design consultancy with
proven expertise in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design.
Founded in 2008, SPARK creates distinctive projects across Asia, Europe and the Middle
East. Boasting a dynamic team of over 100 employees spanning 16 nationalities and
three continents, SPARK combines the best experience of international and local talent.
Driven by a philosophical approach to create architecture that is pragmatic, social and
convivial, SPARK works closely with clients to create sustainable architecture that is
underpinned by financial viability and the desire to improve the quality of life for all. With a
presence in Beijing, London, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, SPARK’s
award winning projects include the rejuvenated Clarke Quay in Singapore, the Shanghai
International Cruise Terminal, Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur and the Raffles City projects in
Ningbo and Beijing.
Media contact:
Miranda Vukasovic at mvukasovic@sparkarchitects.com or +861084021240
(Source: arkitekcher)
