Majestic Garden, developed by China Resources Land & Nanfang Group, is located at Shanghai's historic old town crossroads. With 103 heritage courtyard homes, it is a rare pure-courtyard villa community in the city's core. Designed by Jiang Yu (gad) and Andre Fu, the project preserves historic streets like Wangyun Road while integrating Daochuan Lane's meandering path. By maintaining "narrow lanes and deep alleys" with a "one home, one garden" layout, Majestic Garden harmonizes heritage and contemporary living, redefining China's modern luxury residential standards.
The tension between heritage protection and modern luxury living is inherent. The 3-above, 2-below courtyard typology must achieve light, air, and privacy within the "narrow lane, deep alley" fabric. While the approx. 5m-high basement unlocks potential, the design must strategically integrate utilities, fire access, and underground space within the historic urban grain.
Majestic Garden is Shanghai's first heritage villa certified for ultra-low energy consumption. Triple-pane Low-E windows and silicone graphite insulation preserve historical aesthetics while achieving energy efficiency. Reclaimed bricks, hand-laid by master artisans using traditional techniques, feature joints refined over two months to 2mm precision. Granitic plaster, crafted through seven steps including "wash three, grind three," integrates natural aggregates for acid and moisture resistance. Through every detail, age-old craftsmanship lives on in contemporary homes.
The project achieves an operational balance between heritage protection and urban renewal. The 103 courtyard homes don't freeze history but allow the old town's fabric to evolve—original streets remain streets, names remain names, and spatial scales continue to foster human connection. Andre Fu's design complements rather than dominates, using Shikumen arcades to weave public spaces, transforming the homecoming journey into a legible urban narrative.