Project Overview
CHENGDU POLY TIMES COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, a MEGA TOD MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT with site area over 378.95 acres and situated at the Jinniu District, one of the historic districts of Chengdu. This project is part of the city transformation projects that was carried out on the original Fuheqiao Market Distract. The main idea of this project is to create a TOD-oriented commercial complex and benchmark of a future lifestyle. With a total GFA of 298,000 sq.m mega mixed-used complex, it includes a mixture of Commercial Podiums, Grade-A Office Towers, SOHO, and public-space in form of terraces and gardens that connected with a City-SkyWalk.
Project Commissioner
Poly (Chengdu) Holdings Co., Ltd.
Project Creator
JATO Design International Limited
Team
Project Team: CK Gan, Hinki Kwong, Raymond Wong, Pannie Nie, Julia Lee, Ruby Wang, Filip Winiewicz
Local Design Institute: Jizhunfangzhoung Architectural Design Associates Chengdu
Project Brief
The design concept is drawn from the memories of historical and cultural background of the wood processing plant in the early days. The design inspiration started from the scene of ancient wood log transportation method that drifted along the Fu River. Inspired by the stack pile of timber strips with hover lapped patterns, the architecture design evokes the memory of both, the historical and cultural background. It reinterprets the similar language onto the façade details, which brings out a strong connection between the modern and the past of the site.
Through the comprehensive development of TOD, the closed communication connection between the rail transit station and surrounding buildings is formed, and the pedestrian system extends in all directions. With a multiple network works of circulation system, pedestrians are free from vehicle and weather interference. This model has the advantage of integrating urban functions compared to the traditional “over the subway” property. The TOD model has a great role in promoting the development of the city. It can not only alleviate various situations such as traffic congestion and insufficient land use, but also improve traffic efficiency and enhance the commercial value of the entire district.
Project Innovation/Need
The project was positioned as one of the largest T.O.D developments in the Chengdu. Taking advantage of the subway station nearby, carefully planned network of underground retail is able to connect subway and 5 different land plots seamlessly. The inflow then be passing through series of sunken plazas with vertical circulations to connect the surface and underground. Conducive to the high-density development of the project, forming a regional center. One of the largest land plots (#3) with over 110,000 sq.m of G.F.A is planning to be the key anchor as a TOD center, and the surrounding area is equipped with all kinds of comprehensive facilities. It has various functions such as work, business, education, residence, etc. People do not need to reach out of TOD. zone, which can still sustain their daily needs.
Design Challenge
The key objectives of the project is creating a TOD-centered community that integrates with the sustainable living environment for the post-Covid era while maintaining the historic fabric of Jinniu District. One of the design approaches was to emphasize the theme of “Bring People Together” and attempt to re-establish a new connection between Nature and City throughout entire project phase. The greatest challenge during the planning phase was to connect 5 land plots as a single development with efficient connection from different levels. The master-planning required a careful and strategic organization in both pedestrian and vehicle circulations with respect to different types of retail activities and experience. Working together with the Traffic Consultants and closely coordinating with local Planning Bureau in the early design stage, the project was able to overcome many design obstacles like having a 200m long of “City SkyWalk” that span between land plots. On the other hand, annual professional training and examinations for design team members have been provided throughout project stages, to meet both LEED and WELL standards, and to maximum sustainable built environment and user’s comfortability.
Sustainability
One of the major ideas is to create a sustainable community while providing a 15-mins-city that people can live and work in one place. In the early stage of the design, considering the disconnection of the plots, it is necessary to use the central main road as a continuous axis to form a boulevard on the ground to connect between the residential and commercial plots. One of the advantages of this approach is to strengthen the integrity of the development of the ground, but it is not conducive to the flow of people and traffic on the ground and causes overlap usage for the ground circulation between pedestrian and vehicles. After several rounds of TOD development analysis and research, the use of elevated green belt can help improve the mobility, safety, and commercial value can be equally distributed across entire site. In the core area of the project, a 375-meter-long public garden was created, and different seasons of plants covered on a 16-meter-high overhead bridge. Different activity and leisure areas will be used to reconnect the scattered plots from south to north, and the left and right end.
Also, during schematic design stage, design teams established a sophisticated Building-Information-Model for both sustainable façade design and system optimization. By having over 86% standard modular of prefabricated curtain wall facade units for all towers helps reduce overall construction cost and installation time significantly by nearly 35%. The overall carbon footprint used for construction can be decreased by as much as 55% than traditional curtain wall system.
Architecture - Proposed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project can be a concept, tender or personal project, i.e. proposed space.
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