Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Nanjing Jiangbei Civic Center
Nanjing Jiangbei Civic Center
Jiangsu, China
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Nanjing Jiangbei Civic Center
Jiangsu, China
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2020
SIZE
500,000 sqft - 1,000,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
The Project is sited in the open urban space at the intersection of the Central Avenue (now called Dingshan Street) and Binjiang Avenue. Rising at the gateway to the New District and backed by the super high-rise cluster of the Central Business and Social Area, the Project overlooks the main urban area of Nanjing across the river. As the starting point of the north-south urban spatial corridor of the district, the site boasts unique urban and natural landscape. The total site area is about 5.5 hm2 and the originally planned GFA was about 53,000 m2 (later increased to about 75,600 m2 subject to functional adjustment).
In early phase of the competition, the client expected a complex that integrate civic activities, public services, planning and exhibition functions etc. to serve the citizens and enterprises in the New District and realize the “urban parlor” development vision. Traditional urban public buildings, subject to singular functionality and limited accessibility, tend to look stereotyped and unwelcoming. In contrast with real and vivid scenes in urban life, activities in public buildings are often too “formal” and “rigid”. Therefore, it is hoped that the design of Jiangbei Civic Center will not only exhibit a high level of urban recognizability but also closely center on the real needs of people’s life. In this way, diversified scenes can be created as a source of urban vitality.
The site is a triangular plot in proximity to the waterfront landscape (of the Yangtze River), with site level nearly 3m lower than the riverbank of the Yangtze River. How to resolve the difference in elevation and create an open, generous and friendly place has become a key focus in design. Taking circular shapes as the motif, the design eases the relationship with the surrounding urban areas and tries to extend the open riverscape into the site through natural sloping, hence establishing a landscape clue connecting Laoshan Mountain with the Yangtze River, and the city with people. Most of the site is designed into an open urban park, and the artificial boundary of the original triangular site is thus softened by meandering grassland and gently undulating green hills and slopes, tactfully dissolving the height difference of the site into a continuous landscape interface. This fenceless approach facilitates the public accessibility of the site from all directions, and provides diverse spatial experience to visitors. The interaction and integration of rustic charm with modern architecture also trigger a series of civic activities.
Inspired by the idea of a “slowly opening treasure box”, the Project is designed into two giant “circular boxes” 104 m in diameter and 16 m in height. The two stacked boxes open slowly, creating a distinctive urban image and open urban spaces. For the sake of actual needs and efficiency, functions such as public service, civic activities and science education are placed in the lower box, and, following design program adjustment together with the client, some functions more related to people’s daily life, such as art display, performing arts training, science education for children, creative space, etc., are added to make the project a functional cluster that can truly satisfy the needs for civic activities.
To highlight the local characteristics, an oriental-style multi-level garden is implanted into the lower box. This garden featuring bridges over flowing water and pavilions is closely connected with the urban park via open access, realizing consistent natural landscape both internally and externally. The corridor, as a typical element of traditional gardens, connects modern functions such as training, creativity, science education and bookstore, offering a unique experience of encountering different views during one’s walk around the garden. The courtyards, instead of the traditional distribution hall, has become a second place for civic activities in addition to the designated functions and ensures proper openness of the garden. While trying to restore the spatial elements of traditional Chinese gardens, we also expect a dialogue established between modernity and tradition.
In the upper box is the urban planning exhibition hall, with an ultra-long escalator leading to the exhibition functions here. In order to create a precise structural, architectural and spatial logic, 4 sets of symmetrical gigantic column cores are planned to support the upper box where the atrium is placed at the center. Around the atrium are functions organized into street-/lane-style spaces, connecting the physical mock-up area, digital sand table area, regular exhibition halls and supporting spaces like conference and office. Along the way, people weave through spaces of varied sizes and forms, as if wandering through stretching streets and alleys. Suspended up to 16m high, a distinctive sky exhibition hall is created, where people can explore the future of the New District while enjoying the stunning beauty of the Yangtze River and downtown Nanjing. Both the upper and lower boxes are evenly wrapped by white blinds, which, in the alteration of day and night, makes the Civic Center looks like a “treasure box” opening slowly. This lively and dreamy image also inspires people’s interest in exploring the “treasure box”.
In early phase of the competition, the client expected a complex that integrate civic activities, public services, planning and exhibition functions etc. to serve the citizens and enterprises in the New District and realize the “urban parlor” development vision. Traditional urban public buildings, subject to singular functionality and limited accessibility, tend to look stereotyped and unwelcoming. In contrast with real and vivid scenes in urban life, activities in public buildings are often too “formal” and “rigid”. Therefore, it is hoped that the design of Jiangbei Civic Center will not only exhibit a high level of urban recognizability but also closely center on the real needs of people’s life. In this way, diversified scenes can be created as a source of urban vitality.
The site is a triangular plot in proximity to the waterfront landscape (of the Yangtze River), with site level nearly 3m lower than the riverbank of the Yangtze River. How to resolve the difference in elevation and create an open, generous and friendly place has become a key focus in design. Taking circular shapes as the motif, the design eases the relationship with the surrounding urban areas and tries to extend the open riverscape into the site through natural sloping, hence establishing a landscape clue connecting Laoshan Mountain with the Yangtze River, and the city with people. Most of the site is designed into an open urban park, and the artificial boundary of the original triangular site is thus softened by meandering grassland and gently undulating green hills and slopes, tactfully dissolving the height difference of the site into a continuous landscape interface. This fenceless approach facilitates the public accessibility of the site from all directions, and provides diverse spatial experience to visitors. The interaction and integration of rustic charm with modern architecture also trigger a series of civic activities.
Inspired by the idea of a “slowly opening treasure box”, the Project is designed into two giant “circular boxes” 104 m in diameter and 16 m in height. The two stacked boxes open slowly, creating a distinctive urban image and open urban spaces. For the sake of actual needs and efficiency, functions such as public service, civic activities and science education are placed in the lower box, and, following design program adjustment together with the client, some functions more related to people’s daily life, such as art display, performing arts training, science education for children, creative space, etc., are added to make the project a functional cluster that can truly satisfy the needs for civic activities.
To highlight the local characteristics, an oriental-style multi-level garden is implanted into the lower box. This garden featuring bridges over flowing water and pavilions is closely connected with the urban park via open access, realizing consistent natural landscape both internally and externally. The corridor, as a typical element of traditional gardens, connects modern functions such as training, creativity, science education and bookstore, offering a unique experience of encountering different views during one’s walk around the garden. The courtyards, instead of the traditional distribution hall, has become a second place for civic activities in addition to the designated functions and ensures proper openness of the garden. While trying to restore the spatial elements of traditional Chinese gardens, we also expect a dialogue established between modernity and tradition.
In the upper box is the urban planning exhibition hall, with an ultra-long escalator leading to the exhibition functions here. In order to create a precise structural, architectural and spatial logic, 4 sets of symmetrical gigantic column cores are planned to support the upper box where the atrium is placed at the center. Around the atrium are functions organized into street-/lane-style spaces, connecting the physical mock-up area, digital sand table area, regular exhibition halls and supporting spaces like conference and office. Along the way, people weave through spaces of varied sizes and forms, as if wandering through stretching streets and alleys. Suspended up to 16m high, a distinctive sky exhibition hall is created, where people can explore the future of the New District while enjoying the stunning beauty of the Yangtze River and downtown Nanjing. Both the upper and lower boxes are evenly wrapped by white blinds, which, in the alteration of day and night, makes the Civic Center looks like a “treasure box” opening slowly. This lively and dreamy image also inspires people’s interest in exploring the “treasure box”.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.