COMMERCIALLY, DEVELOPERS IN CHINA ARE OFTEN KEEN ON CONSTRUCTING EDIFICES INSPIRED BY ARCHITECTURE FROM ANY PLACE AND ANY TIME. THE BRITISH CLIENT FOR THIS PROJECT OWNED A HIDDEN VALLEY IN THE HILLS ABOVE THE ANCIENT CITY OF HUIZHOU. THINKING HE COULD GO ONE BETTER HE ASKED US TO DESIGN A VILLAGE OF VILLAS IN PURE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE STYLE. 

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THE VALLEY WAS FILLED WITH AN ARTIFICIAL LAKE AND WE REIMAGINED TRADITIONAL LAKESIDE ITALIAN VILLA ARCHITECTURE AROUND PLANS THAT SUITED THE NEEDS OF MODERN CHINESE LUXURY HOUSE-BUYERS. THE FOURTEEN HOUSE DESIGNS WERE INSPIRED BY BUILDINGS VISITED AROUND LAKE COMO AND NORTHERN TUSCANY. 

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INTERNALLY THE LAYOUTS INCLUDED TWIN CURVED MARBLE STAIRCASES,TWO-STOREY HIGH SALONS WITH INTERNAL UPPER BALCONIED GALLERIES ALL OVERLOOKING THE CENTRAL LAKE.

 

EACH WINDOW FORM INCLUDED TRADITIONAL ITALIAN RAKED REVEALS THAT ALLOW HIGH LEVELS OF INTERNAL SUNLIGHT WITH REDUCED GLAZED AREAS. 

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THE DESIGN OF HOUSE 7, SHOWN AT THE TOP, WAS SOLD OFF THE PLAN MINUTES AFTER IT WAS PUT ON THE MARKET.

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PHASES TWO AND THREE OF THIS UNIQUE PROPERTY WILL RAISE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLINGS TO 72 RANGING UP WOODED HILLS AWAY FROM THE LAKE AND WILL INCLUDED SEVERAL COMMUNAL BUILDINGS.

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