Facade Insulation at Dongqian Lake Club Houses | Sto

Sto is a global manufacturer of facade systems and external wall insulation solutions for new construction and renovation projects. Facade insulation systems and protective exterior coatings from Sto were used in the Dongqian Lake Club Houses, a group of five residential villas located on the shores of Dongqian Lake in Ningbo, China.

Designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira and Carlos Castanheira, the project forms part of a broader master plan following the completion of the Huamao Museum of Art Education nearby. Five three-storey villas line the lakefront in a staggered arrangement, sharing the same size, function, and material palette while differing in geometry and opening configurations. Often described as “five sisters,” the buildings balance unity and individuality, opening generously toward the water while remaining more closed toward the access road and neighboring plots.

The villas are constructed in reinforced concrete and wrapped in an external wall insulation system finished with smooth white render. A bionic facade coating enhances durability in the humid lakeside climate by promoting rapid drying and reducing algae and mold growth. The crisp white surfaces emphasize volume, light, and shadow, while restrained detailing—stone plinths and narrow metal parapets—frames the facades and reinforces the monolithic architectural expression.