Over the Wilderness: Designing Luxelakes South Golden Bay

Urban landscapes often struggle to balance ecological preservation with the growing demand for public spaces. Luxelakes C7 South Golden Bay Model Island – Over The Wilderness demonstrates another approach, one where design enhances rather than dominates its surroundings. Located within Chengdu’s Luxelakes district, the project embraces restraint, allowing wetlands, grasslands, lakeshore views, and carefully integrated architecture to coexist as one living environment. Developed by Maiwei Landscape Architecture Studio, the project received recognition in the AMP Public Landscape category for its thoughtful approach to ecological restoration and everyday usability.

We spoke with Weiwei Gan, Lead Architect to gain insight into the philosophy behind the project, the importance of emotional landscapes, and why sometimes the strongest design decision is knowing what not to build

Could you share some background about yourself or your practice?

Weiwei Gan: Our practice is built on a clear methodology and strong theoretical thinking. We focus on creatively resolving the contradictions and complexities that naturally arise in landscape architecture. At the same time, we emphasize the emotional value of landscape, creating warm, meaningful, and sustainable spaces that strengthen the relationship between people and nature. Through the language of landscape, we aim to answer deeper questions about the value of life and our connection to the natural world.

What was the brief for the award-winning project?

Weiwei Gan: South Golden Bay is located in the core lake area of Luxelakes in Chengdu, where rolling terrain, winding shorelines, and expansive lake views create a remarkable natural setting. The primary challenge was introducing new design interventions while preserving the site’s existing ecological qualities.

Guided by the concept of “Over the Wilderness,” we adopted a strategy of light landscape intervention, creating a sequence of diverse experiences that move between open water, wetlands, grasslands, scattered architectural elements, and elevated viewing platforms. The result is a harmonious relationship between architecture, everyday life, and nature that also serves as a model for urban ecological restoration.

Please describe your design process and how you approached the project.

Weiwei Gan: We try to avoid fixed formulas. Instead, every project begins with one essential question: What can this place become? From there, we study the site’s internal tensions, environmental context, and the ways people naturally use the space. Each design strategy grows specifically from those conditions. Ultimately, our goal is to connect human emotion with everyday life through landscape.

What were the main challenges during the project, and how did you resolve them?

Weiwei Gan: The greatest challenge was integrating new architectural and landscape elements without damaging the site’s existing ecosystem. We addressed this by preserving the natural qualities of the land and allowing architecture and landscape to blend seamlessly together. The project carefully balances ecological protection with daily public use while remaining restrained and closely connected to nature.

What do you consider the most distinctive or innovative aspect of the project?

Weiwei Gan: The project’s greatest strength lies in its respect for the spirit of the place and its local ecology. Rather than adding visual complexity, we intentionally reduced unnecessary forms and expressions.

By preserving the site’s strongest memories and natural character, the landscape is allowed to breathe. In this sense, innovation comes through restraint, embracing a “less is more” philosophy as a conscious design strategy.

Which outcomes of the project are you most proud of, and why?

Weiwei Gan: We are most proud of creating a landscape that remains genuinely useful and sustainable long after the exhibition period. Rather than functioning as a temporary showcase, it has become a living environment that continues to support daily life for local residents.

The project communicates a lifestyle rather than simply presenting an image, and seeing people continue to use the space is, for us, the most meaningful measure of success.

What inspires your work, and who or what has had the strongest influence on your approach within your discipline?

Weiwei Gan: Nature itself remains our greatest source of inspiration, together with observing how people emotionally connect with spaces. Design should extend beyond visual impact. What matters most is its ability to evoke emotion and create meaningful resonance in everyday life.

What does receiving the Architecture MasterPrize mean to you, and how do you see it influencing your future work or practice?

Weiwei Gan: Receiving the Architecture MasterPrize is both an encouragement and a confirmation. It demonstrates that projects grounded in everyday experience, restraint, and long-term value can receive international recognition.

This recognition gives us the confidence to continue working with clarity and focus while further exploring design approaches that prioritize authenticity, sustainability, and emotional depth.

Luxelakes C7 South Golden Bay Model Island – Over The Wilderness illustrates how public landscapes can enrich urban life by respecting, rather than reshaping, their natural surroundings. Through restrained intervention, ecological sensitivity, and thoughtful spatial experiences, Maiwei Landscape Architecture Studio has created a landscape that continues to evolve alongside its community.

We thank Weiwei Gan and the team at Maiwei Landscape Architecture Studio for sharing the story behind this Architecture MasterPrize-winning project and offering valuable insight into a design philosophy where nature remains the leading voice.