本次設計的理念是凹陷的地表。這個設計理念來自於希望創造一種與環境親密並激烈相融的空間感覺。凹陷地表從傳統的中國蘇州園林（假山的堆疊）以及西方的石窟中吸取靈感。雖然在空間和時間上它們有所不同，但這種空中花園以及下沉式庭院的概念卻是異曲同工。本次設計敏銳地扭曲了地表空間，從而形成了強烈的三維感，使得人們感覺自己被水泥，土壤和植被包裹著，並可以自由探索一系列「口袋景觀」，而正是這些「口袋景觀」為遊客提供了放鬆嬉戲的機會。
最初的設計想法是峽谷：壓縮景觀到一個走廊空間。天然峽谷都會有強烈的封閉空間品質，繼承了地質形成的層狀特徵，顯示出地層裂縫和基岩斷裂的信息。我們希望利用這種信息厚度來探討景觀建築元素如何創造一段由材料、光影以及封閉外牆決定的空間序列體驗。
本設計主體思想可以追溯到蘇州的獅子林，花園邀請遊客內外行走，攀爬遊憩，以最大限度邀請體驗者思考沉思。這一傳統的公園類型被轉成當代混凝土傾斜牆壁版本，我們期望用周圍人的水平基準流動性與沉重堅固的材料進行對比。
在自然界，地面的下沉產生多層的表面，植被生長形成的垂直綠地，自然環境中形成溶洞，為動物和植物創造新的生存環境。而設計靈感正是從這裡捕獲：三類口袋花園在其中交替——上升花園、下沉花園、封閉花園。在「上升花園」中植被從上方俯瞰遊人，讓人們產生一種浸在大自然中的感覺，遊客們可以立刻對所看到的景觀產生強烈的回應。而「下沉花園」則始於另一種相反的理念，使我們從俯瞰的角度體驗自然。而「封閉花園」則用封閉的小空間容納景觀進行生態交流，人們可以從觀察孔觀察它的複雜性，以及平靜的演變過程。
The concept of working with a sunken ground comes from a mission of fabricating an experience both intimate and intense combined with a strong feeling of harmony with the environment and intimate contemplation. Sunken ground looks at concepts present in Suzhou gardens tradition, such as the rock, the outcrop and the occidental equivalent of the grotto to then travel in space and time to the image of hanging gardens and further on to the concept of a sunken courtyard. The result is a combination both of intense distortions of the ground and an acute sense of three dimensionally, where one feels itself draped by concrete, steel and vegetation, free to explore a thickened version of a microcosm in a series of pocket landscapes for reflection, relaxation and ultimate playfulness.
The first idea is that of the canyon, as a compressed landscape into the space of a corridor. Natural canyons both have the intense spatial quality of the enclosed space, but also inherit the layered characteristics of the geological formation, showing strata, cracks and faults of the matrix rock. We wanted to use this feeling of thickness and formational to explore how architectural elements can fabricate a passage where material, shade and enclosure would dictate the main spatial experience.
As if we were traveling both in space and time, we arrive to the ancient ideas of hanging gardens, where vegetation is viewed from the underneath. This generates a sense of immersion in nature, favoring retreat and reflection within the visitor. The garden also includes sunken gardens which start from a different point, enabling to experience nature from above, but also frame the skyline when we are inside them, closing the look of inside, outside of nature. It is perhaps this constant travel from inside to outside nature which shall let the visitor understand a multilayered relationship to nature and the environment, more in line with concepts of harmony and immediacy.
想像我們在空間和時間上行走，可以感受到空中花園的古老思想。在整個花園中，從下面到上面，從裡面到外面，從開敞到封閉，正是這些不同的景觀體驗。讓遊客了解一個多層次的從和諧與直觀中產生的人與自然。
This effects are also found in nature, where the ground sinks generating a spontaneous multiplication of the surface, vegetated structure and vertical green cover. Natural sinkholes happen in the landscapegenerated new conditions both in terms of scenery but also flora and fauna. This leads to the idea of the captured microcosm, which inspired to design enclosed pots or small landscape ecosystems which, while being inaccessible for the pedestrian, can be contemplated from the outside and where a small choreography of ecological activities can be observed in its complexity and calm evolution. We have looked at existing techniques of green wall and vertical planting combined with ponds, mist generators and scent dispensers. All these shall enable the fabrication of intense ecologies where the dripping of water, the freshness in the air and the subtle movements of fish shall transport the observer to an imagined pocket of alternative natures.
由於設計地塊具有很強的線性特徵，最初的任務是創造兩個平行走廊式的主軸結構。較長的廊道引導遊客從一個由混凝土圍合的空間中通過，最終沉浸在茂密的植被樹冠中。這條主要通道引領體驗者沿路進入「下沉花園」欣賞景觀，以及從外部觀賞「封閉花園」的生態系統演替，實現峽谷效應。第二個廊道與第一個的感覺截然相反，是一種遊走於景觀上方的體驗，為了達到這種效果，第二個廊道連接了兩個上升花園，人們可以進入上升花園，也可以在廊道上觀測上升花園裡的景觀。兩個走廊由一系列不同材料的鋪裝相連，形成不同的地面景觀，從而產生景觀多樣性及不同的景觀心靈體驗。
Given that the site has a strong linear character, the first design task is the structuring of two corridors parallel to the main axis. The longer corridor takes the user through a strong experience of being surrounded by concrete, End immersed in a dense vegetation canopy. The canyon effect is achieved thought the incorporation of oversized pots which delineate the path and are both micro gardens or pocket landscapes which can be either entered or observed from the exterior. The second corridor, which stems from the first one, moves from the feeling of being under the Landscape, to that of being on top of the Landscape. In order to do this, a gentle slope places the spectator on a slightly upper position, while the pot is lowered slightly. The combine effect reverts the effect of the main axis in such a way that the hanging gardens have given way to a sunken garden east of the corridor. Both corridors are linked through a series of landscape terraces of different materials, generating a diverse ground which is the ultimate responsible for diversity and variety of experiences.
封閉花園作為大型景觀的一種延伸，是傳統蘇州園林和一池三山的微型景觀的現代版本。人們可以觀察到每一個對象，想像自己在其間遊走並與自然產生親密的關係。一些傳統的花園也納入到這些混凝土的岩石元素，使他們成為山川大地的縮影。而凹陷地表的概念，正是為了讓遊客可以體驗完整的三維公園，攀登到花園上方，亦可觀賞其它花園。最後，道路網絡的設計組織了整個花園的人流量，給予這個花園一種整體性，連續性與和諧感。
The pots serve as meandering elements within the larger landscape, a large scale version of traditional ShouZhou garden component of the rock boulder and the miniaturized landscape within the flow of the sea. One can can observe each object but also imagine oneself climbing into it in an act of intimate relationship with nature. Some of the traditional gardens also incorporate an element of circulation within these rocks, so that they become both miniature, but also belvedere and observation. Sunken Ground concept uses these traditions to generate a diverse experience where the levels inside the pots are thought so that visitors can experience the full three dimensionality of the park, climbing to the top of the pot, looking at other pots and the flow of people around. Finally, pavement and plan patterns flow along the entire site, giving it a sense of totality, continuity and ultimate harmony to the park.
後記：在院子建設的過程中，各種突發的情況（如地面標高的變化與場地出入口的改變）反而給設計帶來了很多意想不到的樂趣。而最後的結果中，園子比之前想像的更加多的融合到了地表內部，新加的坡道和台階也為空間的豐富性增添了更大的可能。這是一個設計師與體驗者的互動，一個多維空間中的遊戲。
Postscript: in the process of the construction, all kinds of emergency situations (such as changes in ground elevation and changes in exit or entrance) but to design comes with lots of fun. In the end, the garden got more and more integrated into the land than previously thought , new ramps and footstep also added more possibly to enrich the space. This is a designer and interactive experience, a multidimensional game.