Located on the previously industrialized Ou River in the city of Whenzhou, this master plan invigorates the site through the insertion of multi-scale architectural interventions, diverse landscape access and outdoor amenities and public infrastructure to grant access to the waters edge for all residents and visitors to the city. As a city with a rich culinary tradition the architectural interventions are driven by the desire to create elevated dining experiences enhancing the experience through incredible views of the immediate landscape, the mountains across the river, and by designing the temperate climate into the spaces, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior, built and grown environments.

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The masterplan design takes advantage of the existing post-industrial infrastructure to place and define various amenities, for instance, a large multi-functional lecture/convention hall sits above the river on piers previously used for shipping. Much of the masterplan is itself built upon built out piers and infill along the river, further defining the location and orientation of particular amenities. The project stands as a testament to the need to re-invigorate our natural landscapes and take advantage of re-using existing infrastructural elements.

Throughout the design, the essence and behavior of the river plays a crucial role in enhancing the experience of visitors to the site. In many cases, simple shallow pools are used to reflect the sky, architecture and surroundings into the visual experience, while also serving to reflect light onto certain façade, creating a rippled play of light on the wall on windy and less calm days. Further drawing upon the fluid dynamics are the forms and treatments of the built environment within the masterplan.

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Several different methods of fabrication are deployed to give the buildings their own unique identities, while referencing the waves, interference, bubbles and diverse textures and perceptions of fluidity.

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Through a comprehensive deployment of adaptive reuse strategies, advanced fabrication techniques, sustainable design principles and public access policies the masterplan creates a new attraction and exhibition of the previously inaccessible water’s edge. A new feature and draw for the growing city, the spaces have brought new life to the space, expressing the cities identity and defining a new stature for the creation of post-industrial public spaces.

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Architects: AntiStatics Architecture (Beijing+ New York)

Lead Architects: Martin Miller, Mo Zheng, Christopher Beckett, and Luke Theodorius E. D. Santoso

Team: Yasser Hafizs, Ao Li, Annie Liu, Frank Jiang, Angela Li, Siyi Wang, Demi Chang, Haoran Wang

Project location :  Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China

Design Year: 2017-2019

Built Year: 2020

Photo credits: Dachou Photogrphy, AntiStatics

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