LOCATED IN THE middle of The Lakeview Regency luxury residential project in Shanghai will be a large communal clubhouse. The 7,000-square-metre space will reflect the grandness of the early 20th century, according to Henry Yip, director of architectural firm P&T Group. 'The clubhouse is part of The Lakeview Regency residential project,' Mr Yip said. 'The architecture is therefore an extension of the whole concept. We were inspired by the early 20th-century art deco style of New York that was so prevalent in Shanghai at the time. 'Shikumen [stone-gated row houses unique to Shanghai] are also from the same period. We thought it was appropriate to reflect the opulence of the time, [with its] attention to detail.' The clubhouse - the communal focus of the 17 residential buildings - will have four floors and a roof garden for barbecues and other outdoor events. A spa and outdoor jacuzzi in the landscaped gardens surrounding the clubhouse gives it a touch of luxury. It will also include a plethora of sports facilities, including tennis, badminton, basketball and volleyball courts, a golf practice area and rock climbing for extreme adventure seekers. Mr Yip said the main design element of the clubhouse was the 25-metre indoor swimming pool. An outdoor reflecting pool with a cascading waterfall would connect to the swimming pool to ensure the area was bathed in natural light. The reflecting pool would be large, with a pavilion looking over the pool and the garden. In keeping with the exterior design, the clubhouse interior was inspired by Roman baths, Mr Yip said. High ceilings and attention to detail would be apparent in other areas such as the cafe, the lounge, the children's play room, the aerobics centre and the karaoke room. 'While the interior is designed by a separate professional interior design firm, we co-ordinate with the interior designers on how to reflect the architectural space,' Mr Yip said. 'We provide the volumetric space. They look at the ambience in conjunction with the space provided.' P&T was founded in 1868. Its projects include renovating several original buildings on the famous Bund along the Huangpu River, including the Peace Hotel and the recently refurbished Three on the Bund.
