Spark Architects’ contemporary interpretation of Shanghai’s Xintiandi urban village takes form in east Guangzhou’s Science Town District.
February 20th, 2013
Within the heart of Science Town District in eastern Guangzhou – an area master planned by the local government as a science, technology and industrial park – lies an ’urban village’ made up of a retail street, a SOHO residential development and public facilities.
Spark Architects describes this project for developer Vanke Guangzhou as a contemporary interpretation of Shanghai’s Xintiandi – a vibrant and popular car-free shopping, eating and entertainment district and urban renewal development consisting of restored traditional stone gate houses.
In Spark Architects’ ’urban village’ the retail street is composed of 2-storey shopping lots – featuring convenience stores, cafes and restaurants. These face the highway, a central alley and public square.
The streets are sensitively landscaped with outdoor alfresco dining areas and event squares set adjacent to the pedestrian routes. Varying scales and planting also define the entrances to the development and specific points of interest.
With the brief calling for “contemporary architecture infused with local cultural references”, Spark Architects made visits with the client to villages located on the outskirts of Guangzhou to conduct research into traditional arts and heritage. These findings were eventually incorporated into the project by way of abstracted Chinese porcelain art and regional architectural motifs, and in the choice of materials and village street scales.
The street scales and landscaping within the retail zone also ensure a convivial atmosphere that is not undermined by the adjacent residential towers. Visitors meander through intimate streets and squares that are punctuated by a palette of facade materials influenced by traditional Chinese screens.
’Box’ canopies protrude from the buildings to frame views of courtyards and the landscape. The ’box’ component is also repeated on the SOHO residential development facade as colourful pop out balconies that serve as an articulated three-dimensional backdrop to the streets.
Images courtesy of Vanke Guangzhou; image above courtesy of Spark Architects
Spark Architects
sparkarchitects.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Living Edge are showing their Facebook friends some love with their latest online giveaway.
Last week saw Cult celebrating 20 years of serving the Australian design community in launching Nau – a contemporary design brand from Australia’s most curious and spirited designers…
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Set to undergo a $60-million revitalisation, the National Gallery of Australia has announced the launch of a landscape design competition for its Sculpture Garden.
Art, design, architecture and hospitality all combine perfectly at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne by BAR Studio and Cottee Parker.