Flower Terraces

The ‘Flower Terraces’ sit in the heart of the circular city of Ruichang, China. Individually shaped apartments let the residents sense that they live in a unique ‘house’, rather than a numbered unit along a corridor. A series of cantilever slabs create protected outdoor areas in front of the apartments, which become integral living spaces and an essential and characteristic element of the buildings. Residents of the ‘Flower Terraces’ live surrounded by plants and flowers on each level allowing for a pleasant microclimate on the terraces and within the winter gardens. Sustainability is a key element of the scheme providing a comfortable living environment at the lowest possible energy consumption due to energy efficient façades providing natural ventilation; the reuse of rainwater; ground heat exchange; solar thermal panels and a 'smart home' system. • In collaboration with ARUP