A few months ago, images of what appeared to be an underwater building went viral on social media. The circular building in the photos is the Vanke Xi An Club, an exclusive wellness centre. Chinese architecture firm GAD (Zhejiang Greenton Architectural Design) conceptualised the architecture of this wellness space in Yuxi, a city in Yunnan Province, in the country’s southwestern region. The space, showcasing biophilic design elements, is situated alongside the Fuxian Lake and housed in a circular enclosure that appears to be an extension of the lake. The highlight of the architecture is its roof which has been designed as a water body. The aim of the architectural design is to let nature in and enable people to unwind while being surrounded by a spectacular natural landscape. The interior design of this wellness centre by Chinese studio Matrix Design also echoes this sentiment by bringing an aesthetic that is minimal yet functional and visually arresting.

GAD is known for experimental buildings that feature environmentally sustainable elements. The studio’s most notable projects include the Mountain and Sea Art Museum in Kunming, China, and The Baishaquan #157 office complex in Shanghai. In line with the firm's design philosophy, Vanke Xi An Club reimagines the way wellness centres can be designed. The firm does this by designing a structure that blurs the boundaries of indoor and outdoor living. The centre has been built on a sloping hillside, and constructed with minimal impact to the site's topography. The ground floor is staggered and follows the contours of the site it sits on.

The building houses sprawling social areas that extend downward into the natural landscape. "Vanke Xi An Club is located on the shore of Fuxian Lake in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, with a wide view and superior landscape resources. With a construction area of 4,740 sqm, the project consists of functional spaces such as a swimming pool, a yoga room, a gym centre, a library, an art gallery, and a coffee shop. The project makes full use of the existing natural landscape and the topographic features with large height differences and adopts the spatial approach of extending downward. While ensuring low intervention in the ecology, the waves of the lake are injected into the roof, softly covering the hillside, echoing the Fuxian Lake in the distance, and blending with nature,” mentions a spokesperson for GAD.

More spaces within the Vanke Xi An Club include a relaxation area, a billiard room, a climbing wall, an office area, dressing rooms, and a courtyard. This circular building features box-like spaces that consist of separate rooms. “A number of modularised box-like spaces are used to effectively conceal equipment while also serving the function of boundary delineation and flow guidance. The shape of each area is varied, and the functions of spa, fitness, entertainment, reading, and art exhibition are embedded into each other to achieve a pure and complete spatial experience in terms of usage,” adds the spokesperson.

The interiors of Vanke Xi An Club by Matrix Design are modern and luxurious. The colour palette is neutral and the furnishings have sleek forms. While the furniture is stylish, the soft furnishings are cosy, inviting guests to relax and be comfortable. The colour scheme of the interior spaces is purposefully chosen to be subdued to complement the outside landscape. The minimalist design aesthetic helps keep the focus on the views outside.

To enter the Vanke Xi An Club, guests walk up a wooden ramp that wraps around the building, which offers unobstructed vistas of the serene Fuxian Lake. Visitors enter the structure via a central staircase that divides the roof into two symmetrical halves. The roof is unique with a water body and sunroofs through which trees peek out. Walking down the stairs of the wellness centre’s entrance, visitors feel like they are walking into the pristine lake. The holistic centre’s hallways lead to the different rooms that have white walls, floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking a courtyard, and pockets of nature. This helps in crafting a restful space for the guests.

The Vanke Xi An Club has minimal glass partitions designating its many functions. The wellness centre’s fluidity is further enhanced by the addition of floor-to-ceiling room dividers. A spine runs through the entire space, dividing it into two parts. One has a swimming pool, gym, yoga room, and art gallery, while the other has a library, a few recreational spaces, and an office area. Both eventually lead to a multipurpose space designed in such a way that it can be transformed into any room, formal or informal, depending on the guest’s needs.

Furthermore, the Vanke Xi An Club involves elements of biophilic design. The building features two circular plates that function as the floor and ceiling. However, the walls are glass partitions that open up to allow breeze and natural light to enter. “Through the fully open glass curtain wall, the warm breeze and bright sunlight from the lake view surface are brought in. The interior space is equipped with multiple sunlight patios to form an open and bright spatial pattern. Light and air from the outside flow freely within the building, creating the comfort and peace of mind of a natural cave,” concludes the spokesperson.

Project Details

Name: Vanke Xi An Club
Location: Fuxian Lake, Yuxi City, Yunan Province, China
Client: Vanke Yunnan
Area: 4740 sqm
Architect: GAD
Project Director: Yan Wu, Si Tan, Han Wu
Project Creator: Si Yu
Architecture Design Team: Renjian Zhang, Yuan Yu, Chang Liu, Yiping Hu
Structure: Jia Huang, Junjie Guo, Jian Wu, Xinjie Lin
Water Supply and Drainage: Dingcheng Wang
HVAC: Shengli Yang
Electrical: Xingyue Zhou
Consultants:
Interior Design: Matrix Design
Landscape Design: ZD Design
Year of Completion: 2021