Twenty-six years ago, a seemingly insignificant “seed” was planted in Egret Garden.

“Amidst bustling industrial parks and newly built urban high-rises, there lies a magnificent ‘egret paradise.’ Over 30,000 egrets, including great egrets, black-crowned night herons, and grey herons, call this place home year-round. At dawn and dusk, across the city’s skies, white egrets gracefully fly, and thousands of birds return to the forest, painting a natural tableau of harmonious coexistence between city, forest, and bird.” — “Thousands of Birds Returning to the City,” Xinhua News Agency.

The story of this remarkable project begins with a heartfelt tribute to its guardian: “Bird Uncle” Xian Quan Hui from Shunde. What might have started as a chance encounter with a single egret blossomed into a thriving natural habitat, thanks to Bird Uncle’s unwavering dedication and protection over many years. Egrets flocked there in ever-increasing numbers, culminating in a pristine ecological sanctuary.

In early 2024, Bird Uncle entrusted this precious Egret Garden to China Resources Land. Taking the “Egret Paradise” as its focal point, China Resources Land significantly expanded the wetland protection area from 7 hectares to an impressive 100 hectares. They are developing the world’s first “City-Center Egret Theme Wetland Park,” spanning 660,000 square meters and adhering to national standards. This monumental undertaking also presented a unique opportunity for designers, including Yu Studio, to collaboratively create an urban living room where humans and nature truly merge and coexist.

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Hidden in Harmony: Embracing Nature’s Untapped Power

For a project of this nature, the architectural site selection was absolutely crucial. The location already boasted a pristine, native ecological forest belt. To ensure the preservation of the existing Metasequoia and Royal Palms, and to utilize this green oasis as a natural buffer safeguarding the Egret Island, the “City Living Room” was deliberately tucked away behind this verdant screen, maintaining a respectful distance from the bird sanctuary.

The building itself is cleverly concealed amidst a dense canopy of trees, with majestic Royal Palms and layered Metasequoia standing sentinel in front. Access is gained by following a winding waterway, traversing tranquil paths enveloped in lush greenery, ensuring that the natural serenity of the area remains utterly undisturbed. The egrets continue to perch and soar at their leisure, while humans, adopting a stance of respectful coexistence, are invited to immerse themselves in the boundless charm of nature.

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Embracing the Green: Living Alongside Nature

Stepping into the ground floor of the City Living Room, you immediately enter a space that feels intrinsically connected to the surrounding water and forest. Our fundamental design philosophy here was simple: to live alongside nature, to coexist with the greenery.

Whether it’s the peaceful Egret Library or the inviting, relaxed ambiance of the water bar, the space effortlessly conveys a sense of calm and openness. Expansive white surfaces and panoramic views flawlessly draw the vibrant reflections of the outdoor water and the graceful forms of the coconut palms and Metasequoia indoors.

In this interplay of light and shadow, the boundaries between inside and outside subtly dissolve, making the interior and exterior feel like one continuous flow. A waterside pier seamlessly connects the building to the forest and the water, allowing visitors to literally come from nature and return to nature.

Here, people can read, converse, and simply unwind. A glance upwards reveals shimmering water; a soft rustle of leaves on the trees fills the air. It’s as if you’re nestled in the embrace of nature itself, a tranquil and leisurely haven.