DHaus redesigns 50 townhouses within nanjing's ancient city walls

Dhaus’s forest gate design for nanjing, china

London-based design and architecture studio DHaus is set to design a major residential project in Nanjing, China, named Forest Gate. The studio aims to redesign the elevations and landscape for 50 townhouses within its ancient city wall. This location, steeped in Ming Dynasty history, posed a unique challenge to sensitively balance cultural heritage with contemporary design. DHaus’s approach, a collaboration between their London team and a Chinese developer, sought to challenge conventions and act as a creative disruptor.

the tea house for DHaus’s Forest Gate

‘From a random internet meeting request to boarding a plane to Nanjing, this has been the most unexpected and rewarding journey for us as a studio.‘ Daniel Woolfson, Co-Founder of DHaus, continues to add, ‘We weren’t just brought into design, but to challenge conventions, rethink possibilities, and act as creative disruptors.‘

The project began with a spontaneous web meeting, which led to immersive journey for DHaus in Nanjing. The studio studied the centuries-old city walls, explored neighborhoods rich in natural beauty, and engaged in a spirited exchange of ideas with their local partners. This process culminated in a refined architectural concept that blends classical Chinese principles with British-inspired mansion blocks. It is a fusion of British façade order with magical Chinese architectural principles such as the spirit wall, which is a feng shui tradition believed to deflect negative energy with British grandeur and sculptural forms.

the entrance’s spirit wall, which blends feng shui tradition with British grandeur and sculptural forms

dhaus’s first project in china

The designs for DHaus’s Forest Gate feature sunken rock gardens, communal tea houses, and art walks, all carefully woven into the historical fabric of the city. Internally, the apartments are arranged as stacked units. The studio developed a double helix staircase that allows two stacked units to remain completely private while sharing a single compact core, optimizing layout, privacy, and efficiency. This project aims to express a harmonious dialogue between Eastern heritage and Western creativity, marking an exciting adventure into the Chinese architectural landscape for DHaus, both geographically and creatively.

‘This project marks an exciting adventure into the Chinese architectural landscape for DHaus, both geographically and creatively,‘ concludes Co-Founder David Ben-Grünberg. ‘We return to London not just with a new project, but with a deeper understanding of architecture’s role in cultural exchange.‘

the sunken gallery allows art tours

stepped garden joins with the communal tea houses and art walks

aerial view of the 50-townhouse development

façade details classical Chinese principles with British-inspired mansion blocks

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West Elevation

Interconnected Apartments

North Elevation

Concept Diagram

project info:

project: Forest Gate
designer: DHaus / @the_dhaus_company

location: Nanjing, China

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edited by: tim spears | designboom