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 | Oct 17, 2023
Long-gestating entertainment district may get started in Orlando later this year
The DeVos family, who own the Orlando Magic pro basketball team, has chosen two development partners.
Office Buildings | Oct 16, 2023
The impact of office-to-residential conversion on downtown areas
Gensler's Duanne Render looks at the incentives that could bring more office-to-residential conversions to life.
Mixed-Use | Oct 9, 2023
A coastal California city reawakens its downtown
The Prado West mixed-use redevelopment gives Dana Point a new look.
Mixed-Use | Oct 5, 2023
Mixed-use pieces supporting a master plan in North Carolina fall into place
Near Chatham Park, a new multifamily housing community follows the opening of a shopping center.
Contractors | Sep 25, 2023
Balfour Beatty expands its operations in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Balfour Beatty is expanding its leading construction operations into the Tampa Bay area offering specialized and expert services to deliver premier projects along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Mixed-Use | Sep 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays, Hines finalize deal for a stadium-anchored multiuse district in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team announced that it has reached an agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County on a $6.5 billion, 86-acre mixed-use development that will include a new 30,000-seat ballpark and an array of office, housing, hotel, retail, and restaurant space totaling 8 million sf.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 19, 2023
Transforming shopping malls into 21st century neighborhoods
As we reimagine the antiquated shopping mall, Marc Asnis, AICP, Associate, Perkins&Will, details four first steps to consider.
Resort Design | Sep 18, 2023
Luxury resort provides new housing community for its employees
The Wisteria community will feature a slew of exclusive amenities, including a market, pub, and fitness center, in addition to 33 new patio homes.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 31, 2023
Small town takes over big box
GBBN associate Claire Shafer, AIA, breaks down the firm's recreational adaptive reuse project for a small Indiana town.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
