Nestled Amid Nature

Sensitivity to context has always been a fundamental part of architecture, but is often overlooked in favour of optimising floor area. Occasionally, however, a partnership between developer and architect demonstrates the type of understanding of the surroundings that can elevate a building to something that imparts a more profound experience.

That is precisely what Nan Fung Group and Vervain Resources aimed to create at 8 Deep Water Bay Drive. The site is nestled amid Hong Kong’s verdant and hilly southern side, with outlooks towards Tai Tam to the east and Mount Cameron to the north-west. The architects from P&T Group designed along the contour of the hill, helping to make the entrance more approachable rather than greeting residents with monolithic podium walls.

Nature has also been a critical part of the planning, in which the surrounding greenery translates to sculpted, multilevel green spaces within the grounds and openness to nature for each of the 52 apartments. Strolling past the expansive tower lobbies and through the clubhouse gallery path takes you to the development’s centrepiece: the Metta Garden, a spiritual journey unveiling the beauty of flora by layers as an extension of each private living space. The grounds’ grand entrance opens into the parterre, a gravel courtyard ringed by low stone walls and punctuated by the Iris Garden and Lily Pond on both sides. Trees flank the Sylvan Walk to create a romantic allee, complemented by an open lawn connecting the space with its surroundings. This is echoed by a green space in the form of the Farm patch that spreads across, blending seamlessly green living from the surrounding natural beauty with the interiors into a single transcendent whole. Listening, observing and responding authentically to the landscape immerses you in grace, a journey that can be completed through meditation or yoga at the Aura Point.

Those who prefer more active relaxation are catered for by the interconnected 20-squaremetre indoor and 25-square-metre outdoor pools — or just indulge yourself in the outdoor Jacuzzi.

This page At 8 Deep Water Bay Drive, nature is an intrinsic part of the design. Relaxing grounds are complemented by sensitive interventions such as the interconnected indoor and outdoor swimming pools Facing page The indoor and outdoor spaces connect and blend seamlessly, such as the Aura Point (top right) and the finely choreographed walking paths linking the thematic gardens, ponds and meditative spaces