active cultural edges, passive natural centres
Located between the Qinpu Industrial Zone and Qinpu’s rapidly expanding housing periphery, this park design seeks to maintain the historic lines of vegetation and water connection, revive the immediate eco system of the river, and provide easy access to the river edge. The design explores a landscape of active, cultural edges that ring a series of more passive, natural centres.
The edges contain a circular running track that traces the contours of the site. It is warped into a band of irregular forms and spaces that provide opportunities for roller blading, cross training and play. Sports are accommodated with a 1/2 size football field and tennis court, set in a backdrop of lush greenery. The centres provide a series of outdoor rooms of open lawn providing spaces for the staging of various informal pastimes not currently available in other parks in the vicinity.
To achieve sustainable urban drainage ESD principles, the existing site contours were used to generate drainage, program design, and planting options, with Miscanthus perennial grasses in the low lying areas and using the higher areas for lawns. The natural landform facilitates rainwater collection, and has its own unique aesthetic appeal.