Huzhou Wetlands Location City: Huzhou, China
A centre for arts and education based on a symbiosis of water, landscape and people
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Key Info
- Area:
- 9.7 km²
- Status:
- Concept design stage
Map Location
An eco-urban masterplan
The concept for Huzhou integrates the landscape with the city. It incorporates the Bian Mountain Yunqi Valley and Changtianyang Area. The proposals include architectural designs for Huzhou Wetland Cultural Plaza. The designs employ ecological resources through eco-agriculture, eco-industry, eco-tourism and green finance. The aim is to create a symbiosis of water, landscape and people.
A unique environment and culture
Since ancient times, Huzhou’s environmental conditions have made it a successful place, forming the unique culture of the Bian Mountain Changtiangyang area. The design interprets the characteristics of the mountain, the water and the Lougang polder fields. The ecosystem of the Lougang will be restored to its original character: it will be a place of convergence with mountains and water, well connected by bridges.
Four types of open spaces
Through the simulation of the Lougang system, four different types of open space are envisaged: wetland, mountain, waterway and village. The Wetland Cityscape Interface is an area where the outer active space of the wetlands and the inner ecological space merge, emphasising the integration of the city and the country. The Valley Cityscape Interface is an area where the mountains and valleys merge, incorporating changes in topography to provide valleys, woodlands, waterways and urban buffer spaces. The ancient bridges will connect various spaces, including the cultural square and the surrounding area.
Architectural design
Three design concepts have been derived from the human history, natural ecology and site characteristics of Huzhou and are integrated into the designs of the buildings. The Jiangnan Shanshui style is implied on the roof green system, following the stepped layout of the polder fields of the Lougang. Flowing lines are used to create an architectural form inspired by Chinese calligraphy, like dragons and snakes following a writing brush.
Waterfront activities
The landscape space is divided into several characteristic areas such as mountain parks, country parks, polder fields and fishponds, and includes cultural and tourism experience areas to create diverse waterfront activity sites and diverse landscape spaces.
A new theatre, concert hall and science museum are in a prominent location to the north of the site overlooking the wetlands. The designs interpret the Lougang ecological systems as well as a highly contemporary response to the character of a traditional village.
