London-based design and architecture studio DHaus has been selected to lead a major residential project in Nanjing, China, called Forest Gate. The ambitious project involves redesigning the elevations and landscape for 50 townhouses located within the city's ancient walls, an area rich with Ming Dynasty history that presents unique challenges in balancing cultural heritage with modern design principles.
The project originated from an unexpected online meeting request that quickly evolved into a transformative journey for the British studio. "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," said Daniel Woolfson, Co-Founder of DHaus. He emphasized that their role extended beyond traditional design work, explaining, "We weren't just brought in to design, but to challenge conventions, rethink possibilities, and act as creative disruptors."
The design process began with DHaus conducting extensive research in Nanjing, where the team immersed themselves in studying the centuries-old city walls and exploring neighborhoods renowned for their natural beauty. Through collaborative exchanges with local Chinese partners, the studio developed a refined architectural concept that uniquely blends classical Chinese principles with British-inspired mansion block designs. This innovative approach combines British façade organization with traditional Chinese architectural elements, particularly incorporating the spirit wall—a feng shui tradition believed to deflect negative energy—while maintaining British grandeur and sculptural forms.
The Forest Gate designs feature several distinctive elements carefully integrated into the city's historical context. The project includes sunken rock gardens, communal tea houses, and dedicated art walks that weave seamlessly into Nanjing's cultural fabric. Internally, the apartments utilize an innovative stacked unit arrangement, with DHaus developing a sophisticated double helix staircase system that allows two stacked units to maintain complete privacy while sharing a single compact core, thereby optimizing layout efficiency, privacy, and overall functionality.
This collaboration between DHaus and Chinese developers represents the studio's first major project in China and marks a significant milestone in cross-cultural architectural exchange. "This project marks an exciting adventure into the Chinese architectural landscape for DHaus, both geographically and creatively," concluded 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 Forest Gate project aims to demonstrate how Eastern heritage and Western creativity can engage in harmonious dialogue, creating a model for future international architectural collaborations.
