Winning design proposal
for The Central Park of the Radiant City in Shenzhen, China by lee + mundwiler
architects, in April 2008.
The proposal was a collaboration between two firms, lee+mundwiler architects
and landscape firm Cao/Perrot Studio.
All images © lee+mundwiler architects
The Central Park of Guangming (The Radiant City) covering 2.37 km2 ( 680
acres) and the Radiant City (Itself subject of an international design
competition in 2007) will be built around this Central Park.
The Park’s main architectural element is the Cultural Complex, which
includes an outdoor Amphitheatre Pavilion, Art Museum, Aqueduct, and Follies.
These Cultural buildings will integrate the Radiant City within the international
art scene and set the stage for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Urban Planning
and Architecture Biennale.
DESIGN CONCEPT:
Through the use of the local natural resources and cultural elements,
we responded to our question of how an artificial environment can co-exist
in harmony with nature as well as create a visual and emotional link between
built environment and its users.
Our design proposal includes the necessary requirements of a traditional
public park, while bringing new interpretations to familiar elements,
applying ‘ qi’ (energy) principles to highlight the dynamic
and transformative properties of nature.
DESIGN METHOD:
We proposed intensive programs within and around the newly formed lake
so the two hills are spared from heavy human use and to eventually rejuvenate
wilderness.
A lake is created as the focal point of the Park by combining several
existing waterways. An aqueduct rising from the water, transforms into
a water fall, creating “liquid” walls, a long floating pier,
a transparent swimming pool giving the illusion of floating on air for
swimmers are the features within the lake.
The site surface is transformed into a patchwork of wildflower meadows,
where follies are scattered around as marking devices for orientation
within the park and intimate spaces for various activities.
An outdoor Amphitheatre is embedded into the landscape and emerges out
of the lake water as a performing stage. The undulated earth-like roof
punctuated with delicate mosaic opening, inspired by the local tile work
found in vernacular buildings in Shenzhen. Its openings provide intricate
light as well as natural ventilation. The Art Museum provides space for
exhibitions, as well as restaurants, and public service. With its breathing
façade, the art Museums’ slow rhythmic movement is an intriguing
aesthetic element that also functions as a sustainable feature that collect
solar energy.
The Follies are inspired by human nature and form. They are multi functional
structures that are strategically located around the Park. Each structure
is a satellite member of the cultural and interactive art and land installation.
Their interior can be utilized as functional space for creative activities.
Our intention is to create a space that cultivates the exchange of ideas
and embodies the very nature of human learning.
Throughout the course of the Central Park design, distinctive Chinese
cultural elements were translated and elevated into a higher level of
abstraction with contemporary architectural language harmonizing with
nature. We put a conscious effort to retain the Park its own “sense
of place and identity”, especially in the midst of the wave of orphaned
architecture in Shenzhen, China.
Shenzhen Buildings
lee+mundwiler architects, Inc
3233-C donald douglas loop south,
santa monica ca 90405
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Radiant City Shenzhen - page
: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt