Chongqing Roof Garden of Longfor Yinian Apartment

The rooftop healing garden at Longfor Yinian Senior Apartments in central Chongqing is the first ageing-in-place project by Chongqing Longfor, designed by GVL International Design Group as a model of benevolent landscape made for older people and, by extension, for one's own future self. Before dawn, the garden is already lit, and the planting wakes gently to receive early risers. Working closely with the developer, the team studied the physiological and psychological needs of elderly residents and organised the roof into three programmatic zones: horticultural therapy, active fitness and sociable leisure, so that residents can participate deeply and independently rather than merely be cared for. Raised timber planting beds, set 0.65 metres above ground with room underneath for wheelchair users' feet, allow both walking and seated residents to touch and tend plants; double-layered beds gently invite wheelchair users to stand and reach. An irrigation water feature doubles as a reaching exercise. A rainbow-coloured sculptural canopy loops over a jogging track, its saturated colour stimulating the senses and awakening the urge to move; distance markers and encouraging phrases along the track help residents pace themselves, and bench sides include armrests to support safe standing. Conversation seating is arranged in triangular clusters that avoid direct eye contact while keeping the wider garden in view. Accessibility is systematic: the entire roof is step-free, paths are at least 2.40 metres wide (wider than the 1.80-metre minimum for two wheelchairs to pass), ramps are kept below a 1:12 gradient, and double handrails at 0.90 and 0.75 metres serve standing and seated users. To activate reminiscence therapy, the team added a wall mural of the cable cars that once defined Chongqing life and reproduced a cable-car stop sign, helping elderly residents reconnect with personal history. A generously illustrated garden handbook was also produced. The project covers 890 square metres and was designed in November 2017.