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Ninetree Village by David Chipperfield Architects
Here's a second project in China by David Chipperfield Architects: Ninetree Village is a recently completed residential development in Hangzhou.
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The project is situated next to a bamboo forest and consists of twelve residential buildings, each containing five apartments.
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Each building is clad in a wooden grid, which varies in density according to the level of privacy required in different areas of the home.
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See our earlier story on Chipperfield's Liangzhu Culture Museum in China.
The following is from the architects:
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Ninetree Village
Hangzhou, China
2004 – 2008
A small valley, bordered by a dense bamboo forest, forms the site for this luxury housing development, situated near the Qiang Tang River in Hangzhou, south-eastern China.
![ninetreevilla-12.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-12.jpg)
The particular charm and beauty of the place are the determining factors.
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Twelve individual volumes are arranged in a chessboard pattern to create the maximum amount of open space for each building.
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Through planting new vegetation, each apartment building is set in its own clearing in the forest.
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The buildings adapt to the topography, creating a flowing landscape through a slight turning of the blocks.
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The grounds will be accessed from the southern entrance via a network of lanes.
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All buildings are linked to an underground car park, enabling the site to be free from vehicles above ground.
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Within the development there are six types of building differing in size and floor plan depending on the location, view and light conditions.
![ninetreevilla-2.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-2.jpg)
The individual apartment buildings contain five generously proportioned apartments, each accommodating a full floor of approximately 400 sqm.
![ninetreevilla-11.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-11.jpg)
The floor plan concept creates a flowing interior space defined by solid elements which accommodate auxiliary functions.
![ninetreevilla-17.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-17.jpg)
The selection of materials for the living and sleeping areas provides an elegant, calm atmosphere, whilst the enclosed elements are envisaged as cabinets using precious traditional materials.
![ninetreevilla-8.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-8.jpg)
The loggia zone, which runs around the whole building, provides a transition area between the interior living space and the surrounding nature.
![ninetreevilla-7.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-7.jpg)
Based on a traditional principle of Chinese housing, an exterior skin using wooden elements protects the privacy of the residents.
![ninetreevilla-9.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-9.jpg)
This skin differs in density, depending on the interior functions, sunlight and the conditions of the site.
![ninetreevilla-10.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-10.jpg)
Moveable elements allow the resident to further decide on the degree of privacy desired.
All images above by Christian Richters. All images below by Shu He.
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A clubhouse with an outdoor pool is located at the northern tip of the site.
![1ninetreevilla-10.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-10.jpg)
This small building follows the irregular shape of the steep slope of the hill, forming a kind of a retaining wall that continues to define the border of the property.
![1ninetreevilla-8.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-8.jpg)
The interior is shaped like a cave carved into the hill.
![1ninetreevilla-4.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-4.jpg)
Skylights let natural light deep into the rooms.
![1ninetreevilla-9.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-9.jpg)
In front of the clubhouse lies a raised platform with an irregular shape following the natural borders of the site.
![1ninetreevilla-8.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-8.jpg)
The building is made out of coloured concrete and Chinese volcanic stone.
![1ninetreevilla-6.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/1ninetreevilla-6.jpg)
Location: Hangzhou, China
Project Date: 2004
Completion Date: 2008
Gross Floor Area: 23,500 m2
Client: Joyon Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd
Architect: David Chipperfield Architects
Principal: David Chipperfield
Director: Mark Randel
Project Architect: Hans Krause
![ninetreevilla-15.jpg](http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/11/ninetreevilla-15.jpg)
Project Team: Christoph Bartscherer, Libin Chen, Ulrich Hannen, Christian Helfrich, Lijun Shen, Natalia Vinuela
Structural/Services Engineer: ZSADI, Zhejiang South Architectural Design and Survey Ltd.
Landscape Architect: Levin Monsigny Landschaftsarchitekten
Photographs: Christian Richters; Shu He
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