Revitalizing Liulichang: A Transformative Urban Project in Jinjiang District, Chengdu

A consortium comprised of Germany's ISA ?Internationales?Stadtbauatelier and China's Southwest Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. has achieved a significant victory by securing the international competition for the urban design project in Liulichang Area, Jinjiang District, Chengdu. The ISA team has been entrusted with the task of designing both the Laochang Town TOD Community and the Ancient Kiln Site Park as part of this prestigious project.

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Thinking One: What kind of Liulichang TOD scene do we want to create?

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Q1: How can we topologically optimize the texture pattern of the current market and town while preserving the unique living atmosphere and vibrant ambiance of Huanxin Liulichang?

Q2: How do we gather the diverse local urban vitality and establish a TOD station-city model, integrated space model suitable for Liulichang?

Q3: How can we continue the ecological and cultural heritage context of the heritage park and create an urban life environment of Liulichang Rail Station Park?

Thinking Two: Building a Park Tour System?

Q1: How can we create a new urban design environment that showcases cultural heritage and archaeological patrimony in an engaging and charming way?

Q2: How can we seamlessly incorporate heritage and art into the landscape without causing conflicts with potential archaeological sites?

Q3: How can we utilize cultural relics to support the growth of cultural communities and industries in the area, while taking into account the limitations of the site?

Answers:

Laochang Town TOD Community

We have formulated three design strategies by seamlessly combining the traditional block texture with the daily life of the Liulichang Laochang Town community:

1 Redefining block texture

2 Integrating multifaceted functions

3 Cultivating a harmonious development ecosystem

Highlight 1: New Liulichang - Transforming the Block Texture

Transforming the block's texture to breathe new life into the town, infusing it with renewed vitality and a more fresh and appealing scale. This endeavor seeks to preserve the town's unique vitality while infusing it with a renewed energy.

Highlight 2: Super Neighborhood - A Hub of Innovation and Community

In the "Super Neighborhood," our aim is to seamlessly integrate a variety of functions, fostering the development of an internally driven, innovative industry-university-research community.

The park's scenic landscape offers panoramic vistas, creating a picturesque environment for residents. Daily life becomes incredibly convenient, with shopping, entertainment, and public transportation just steps away. Moreover, the Super Neighborhood Center enhances the overall living experience by providing comprehensive services not only to the residential area but also to the entire pyrotechnic community.

Highlight 3: Stereoscopic Garden - Blending Culture and Ecology

Leveraging the high-density commercial and residential area near Liusan Road Subway Station on Line 6, we are creating an interconnected network of public spaces. This includes sunken squares, corridors, commercial complexes, and rooftop gardens, all designed to provide seamless and convenient three-dimensional traffic flow.

Ancient Kiln Ruins Park

Our aim is to weld cultural relics with community life, with a core focus on preserving and presenting cultural heritage information.?

This space will also serve as a venue for popular science education and art exchange. Our ultimate goal is to create “Discover the Past in Your Neighborhood.”

In our commitment to preserving history, we've meticulously designed the ruins hall and exhibition hall at the core of our endeavor. To safeguard the integrity of unexcavated sections, the exhibition hall has been strategically placed within the backfill area of the cultural relics excavation.

Within the exhibition hall, we've harnessed the power of digital media to create a mesmerizing experience. Visitors can explore three-dimensional displays of cultural relics without the need for special glasses. Interactive digital media installations engage with both the exhibition's theme and the audience, expertly recreating the site's past. This offers a fully immersive experience, allowing visitors to step back in time and connect with the rich history of the area.

The archaeological site exhibit area has been thoughtfully designed following the archaeological grid of the cultural relics excavation, providing visitors with an up-close and personal experience of these historical artifacts. To minimize any disruption to the site, we've used lightweight materials and structures.

Within this area, you'll find remnants of historical buildings, which we're dedicated to preserving and revitalizing. This initiative aims to establish a dynamic exhibition base and research center for the cultural heritage community, christened as the Liu STUDIO Art Village. It's a place where history and creativity converge, breathing new life into the past while fostering artistic exploration.

Waterfront Art Exchange Area

"Cultural Rebirth by the Water - The Waterfront Art Exchange"?

This area serves as a pivotal connection between the existing developed residential area and the new "Kiln Ruin Park." These two distinct areas are separated by a tranquil creek, and our design approach focuses on revitalizing the site by incorporating elements like colored glaze and riverside features.

Our vision includes the installation of iconic landscape sculptures with an ancient theme to not only attract a diverse audience but also to convey a profound sense of the local historical heritage. Positioned strategically in the northwest corner of the plot, a spacious square plays a crucial role as it links the park to the heart of the entire area, transforming it into a vibrant public waterfront space.

This square will function as a meeting point for tourists, new residents, and local residents alike. It will be equipped with facilities catering to the recreational, leisure, and entertainment needs of both residents and visitors. Moreover, the open space is designed to accommodate local festivities and temporary exhibitions, enhancing its dynamic appeal.

The prominent tree landscape sculpture within this area will serve as a central iconic focal point, establishing a clear visual connection with the main venue of the heritage park and the theater stage, further enriching the overall ambiance and historical narrative of the space.

"Unleash Your Inner Athlete - The Community Undergrowth Sports Area"

In this serene oasis, we've skillfully crafted an escape from the urban hustle and bustle, where individuals can find solace amidst a lush forest canopy, perfect for sports and active living. The natural terrain flows gracefully, forming a cascading landscape of greenery that seamlessly integrates with sports and recreational facilities. It's a vibrant and dynamic space catering to those in search of a harmonious blend of nature and athleticism.

This area serves as a bustling hub for residents of all ages and backgrounds, offering a diverse range of activities. Leveraging the natural contours of the land, we've established an activity center on the park's southern flank, giving rise to a thriving sports park that pulses with the energy of the community.

On the eastern side, existing buildings have been thoughtfully renovated to create the primary entrance node of the park. Combining this with the site's topography, we've strategically introduced sports fields and children's play areas on the flat terrain, fashioning a public park that caters to the needs and interests of both residents and tourists alike.

Project Name : Urban Design of Liulichang Area, Jinjiang District, Chengdu

Project Time : October 2022-December 2022

Client : Jinjiang District Government, Chengdu City

Design Unit : German ISA?Internationales?Stadtbauatelier & China Southwest Architecture Design Institute Co., Ltd.

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ISA team

Project Director: Zhang Yajin

Project Consultants: Lu Ximi, Chen Shenzhou, Wu Zhetao, He Huishan

Chief Designers : Philipp Dechow, Dita Leyh

Project Manager : Wang Haizhou

Main creative team members : Zhong Linhao, Liu Zhihan, Wang Bin, Zhang Enming, Chen Tianliang, Guo Ziyang