Zhuhai, China, recently named the most livable city in China by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, will soon be home to a new 5.6 million-sf mixed-use neighborhood that will feature offices, residences, retail, and infrastructure. The city was recently connected to Hong Kong and Macau via the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world.
Designed by SOM, the new neighborhood will feature a robust transportation hub that offers connections to land, sea, and rail across more than 40 acres; five modular canopies that envelop three sides of a 1.8 million-sf port, weaving together a landscape of towers behind it and creating a series of covered pedestrian alleyways; a retail environment; and interlinked courtyards along the waterfront promenade.
The canopy forms are inspired by the Fisher Girl, a local legend, and reflect the fishing nets commonly seen on the coastline throughout the region. Additionally, the canopies will increase interior comfort and building efficiency by filtering daylight, harvesting energy via photovoltaic panels, and capturing rainwater.
See also: New Foster + Partners-designed hospital begins construction in Cairo
At the heart of this new neighborhood will be a 1,045-foot-tall tower inspired by the form of a lighthouse Fresnel lens. The tower comprises 35 floors of office space topped by a 20-story Ritz-Carlton hotel with a skybox and observation deck. The tower is diagonally bisected by an axis that appears to peel open the facade, revealing a vertical atrium that offers visitors views of the bay.
The neighborhood will use Zhuhai’s most abundant natural resources, the sea and the sun, to reduce natural gas consumption, conserve water, and create a comfortable environment for residents, office workers, shoppers, and those seeking an active nightlife.
In a release, SOM Design Director Sean Ragasa said of the design, “We wanted our design to resonate with the culture and history of Zhuhai, and to evoke a story that’s familiar to everyone who lives there.”
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Aug 13, 2018
Florida mixed-use development uses wellness as the backbone of its design
Zyscovich Architects designed the project.
Mixed-Use | Jul 17, 2018
Water Street Tampa’s developer reveals details about this project’s public spaces
This $3 billion waterfront neighborhood will also include three hotels.
Urban Planning | Jul 6, 2018
This is Studio Gang's first design project in Canada
The building’s hexagonal façade will provide passive solar heating and cooling.
Mixed-Use | Jun 5, 2018
Seattle’s new mixed-use complex merges new construction with a repurposed 1921 funeral home
SkB Architects designed the complex.
Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2018
Concentrated redevelopment: Apartment complex takes mixed use to the next level
An “intergenerational” mixed-use apartment complex may be a prototype for reenergizing neglected neighborhoods in America’s largest county.
Mixed-Use | May 16, 2018
Los Angeles mixed-use building uses prefabricated wood frame to reduce costs
SPF:architects designed the building.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 26, 2018
Edison Lofts building is New Jersey’s largest non-waterfront adaptive reuse project
Minno & Wasko Architects & Planners designed the building.
High-rise Construction | Apr 17, 2018
Developers reveal plans for 1,422-foot-tall skyscraper in Chicago
The tower would be the second tallest in the city.
Mixed-Use | Apr 5, 2018
SOM unveils design for 54-story mixed-use tower in Hangzhou, China
The tower will rise 944 feet.
Mixed-Use | Apr 4, 2018
Shenzhen’s Mawan Mile master plan will include a ‘boulevard in the sky’
HASSELL won a competition to design the new mixed-use district.
