Spiral forms dominate SWA’s planned mixed-use complex in China
By Mike Chamernik, Associate Editor
This week, SWA announced the landscape design for its new Performing Arts and Entertainment Center, a 1 million-sm mixed-use complex in Chengdu, China.
The design uses plenty of circles—a “galaxy” of them, as the firm put it. The landscape will draw from spiral motif of the adjacent Performing Arts Center. Circular forms will be a theme for the entire site, as gathering spaces, sunken gardens, and plazas are all designed to be round.
The complex as a whole will have buildings for retail, residential, office, and civic theater purposes. Winding terraces, bridges, and promenades will connect indoor and outdoor spaces.
Chengdu, with more than 10 million people, is the largest city in southwest China. The city is hoping that this district will serve as a landmark and destination for visitors.
The Performing Arts Center will open in 2016, and the rest of the retail, office, and residences will open in 2017 and 2018.
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