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In 2023, the demolition of the 'Ying Yuan' rural garden in Suzhou garnered significant attention. The public perceived this garden to be a precious repository of traditional cultural heritage, imbued with a vibrant living legacy. Consequently, protests ensued, prompting governmental authorities to reconsider its value and officially recognise it as having “distinctive cultural characteristics of the era". It was eventually preserved as a public landscape. This project contemplates the future development of Ying Yuan as a public landscape within the urban context. It proposes a design scheme for discussion of how to transform the personal memories represented by a private garden into collective memories of public space. It also delves into the exploration of the relationship between humans the natural environment, reflecting on the inheritance of cultural heritage's spiritual essence.
The landfilling of Cheng Dian Bang(程典浜), next to the Ying Yuan, is a microcosm of the dramatic changes in the perception of nature throughout the urbanisation process.
The Ying Yuan, which seems to have a random and messy layout, actually integrates the traditional techniques of classical gardens and conveys the cultural core as a living space.
The scale of the garden and the relationship with the human body, as well as the tour routes and viewing angles of people in the garden can be clearly observed.
Through the view framed by the moon cave door, people can get a glimpse of the interest and scenery of the garden: a glimpse from the past to the future.
As a hub connecting all the scenic spots in the garden, people shuttle through the verandah and change the scenery as they move.