On the banks of the ancient Huai River in Qingjiangpu District, Huai’an, Greentown’s Phoenix Minsion reimagines contemporary living through the concept of a “boundless park.” Stretching across 680 m of riverfront, the project interweaves timeless garden wisdom with the needs of modern life. To the east, a collection of Chinese courtyard villas unfolds through a six-layer axial sequence. Layer upon layer of courtyards safeguard the privacy demanded by multi-generational households, while white stucco walls, grey-tiled roofs, meandering verandas and upturned eaves re-create the tranquil elegance of Jiangnan gardens. To the west, high-rise flats introduce Huai’an’s first fourth-generation residence. Sky gardens and double-height terraces draw the river’s vistas into every corner of the community, allowing every family to experience ground-level living in the vertical dimension.

Design inspiration is drawn from the city’s profound Grand Canal heritage and re-interpreted through contemporary craft. The high-rise façades combine inter-storey cantilevered eaves with champagne-gold metal trims, establishing a coherent dialogue with the traditional Chinese and Song-style low-rise courtyards on site. Every detail and material was tested at 1:1 scale to ensure flawless execution.

Sunken courtyards and light wells breathe life into underground spaces, while individual lift lobbies and wide-view balconies redefine the balance between privacy and panorama. The commercial street to the south takes its cue from Huai’an’s historic salt-transport culture. Corner plazas and vernacular arcades recreate the scene of the old “Ban Zha Customs House,” satisfying contemporary retail needs while extending the city’s cultural narrative.

Here, tradition and modernity are not opposites; through the language of design they achieve a harmonious coexistence, offering Huai’an a residence in deep conversation with its own past and future.