Pernod Ricard Chuan Malt Whisky Distillery Landscape Design by YIYU Design

Inspired by the Chinese philosophy “ one flower one universe, one tree one forest “, in the landscape design of Pernod Ricard distillery in China, YIYU works with nature to shape a poetic journey that recalls the perception of landscape, and creates an imaginative world view that nature, inspiration, and emotion can be connected.

YIYU sets out a landscape framework that discovers the beauty of the mountain, encounters the joy of the water, and builds up merging harmony between architecture and landscape. The balance between the built and the nature, the crafted and the wild, the contrast and the harmony, defines the fundamental philosophy of the project.

The project is located under Emei mountain, a handsome natural wonder of the region. Surrounded by a river and abundant green, the project preserves the existing nature, and provides sophisticated experiences to the mountain and the water. From indoor to outdoor, with close cooperation between the architect and the landscape architect, the collaboration results in a splendid project that blends harmoniously to the site. A project where the landscape is gentle yet strong, the architecture is powerful yet humble.

: A transporting landscape -Pernod Ricard whisky distillery in China. Landscape design by YIYU design.

: A mountain treasure hidden in the forest and surrounded by the river.

: Reserved organic farm on the terraces. Farming lots are reserved for growing organic vegetables for the restaurant in the distillery in the future.

: Terraces and paths are carefully designed to provide a gentle sequence of level change to give layering experiences in different heights to the valley.

: The bottom of the valley leads to the water alter. A destination at the peninsula to see the forest, to pray the water, and to sing with the river. All the boulders are recycled from excavation on site.

: The boulder garden. Rocks at the boulder garden are recycled from the site. The gift from the ground is transformed into a beautiful and timeless sanctuary in nature.

: All the existing trees at the site are carefully preserved, as well as the wildflowers are well protected. The built and the wild coexists at the same time.

: The fountain at the water alter. A place to contemplate and resonate. A phrontistery surrounded by the power of nature.

: Wildflowers are preserved at the site where the butterflies like to visit.

: The preserved trees frame a view of the beautiful river and bamboos like a painting.

: The meadow. The crafted and the nature complement each other. Hardness and softness happen at the same time.

: The meadow on the hilltop highlights the iconic building and provides a dreamy imagination to the landscape.

: The Emei mountain, the meadow, and the iconic dome. A harmonious composition and a peaceful juxtaposition between architecture and landscape.

: A continuous waterscape as a hint for direction, and guidance of views to the landscape.

: Details of the linear waterscape.

: Moments of dropping water produce peaceful sounds in the journey.

: The stone garden and the stone wall use recycled rocks from the excavation.

: Stone walls are designed to shape an iconic entering experience to the dome.

: The stone garden.

: The forest walk. The path leading to the river utilizes the level change to create different angels and views to the landscape.

: The stepping water courtyard.

: The stepping water courtyard.

: The stepping water courtyard frames the view to the Emei mountain.

: The forest walk.

: Waterscape at the entrance. Collaborated with an artist work to reflect the artificiality and the nature.

: The oak tree at the entrance as a symbolic green guardian of the distillery. The tree will company the project for generations to come.

The landscape design strategy is to connect nature, amplify nature, and reflect on nature. From visual guidance with the continuous and blending landscape, the project connects to the surrounding greenery closely. Paths cutting through the woods provide the opportunity to curate the landscape with various views at different levels. The perception of nature is given with laying and sequences gently arranged through the site: sometimes to see the mountain framed as a painting, sometimes to walk on a path meandering into the woods, sometimes to encounter wildflowers and butterflies by the rock, and sometimes to hear the moving sound of the river. Imagination and sensitivity of nature are awakened and reminded again. The beauty of nature is concentrated at moments of contrast. Peacefulness is recalled through experiences of harmony in the landscape.

To respond to the deeper meaning of the philosophy of harmony. The project also utilizes the concept of sustainability, to create a project that can benefit itself ecologically. The planting design introduces local species that encourage the wildlife back to the site, and carefully avoids disturbance to the existing habitats. The building material uses rocks recycled from the excavation at the site. Stone walls and the boulders garden are built with 90% recycled stones. The gift from the ground is given back in another form of beauty, and be kept on site for another generation to come.

Another idea is to reserve an organic farm for the future food supply to the distillery. Farming lots are planned in the green terraces. The organic farm will be cooperated with local farmers to produce vegetables for the restaurant in the distillery. What gets from the lands is given back, what to be consumed is to be produced at the site. A self-supply system with zero-waste ensures the intervention of nature can be minimized, and the ecological system can be self-contained.

With all the love and respect to the nature, we wish the project can become a place where people can see the beauty of nature again, be inspired by nature again, and through the journey to rediscover a new world view of harmony to our wonderful environment.