Time: 07/2024
Project Location: Xi'an, China
Design: Jia Hu
Design Option Offered
Architecture Design: Zaha Hadid Architects
How can innovative design strategies and localized practices be integrated into the Valley Stream Yard to maximize its multifunctionality and ecological value, while seamlessly uniting exhibition, interaction, and relaxation?
Concept Design:
L: Landscape Whirlpool Center
M: Multi-functional Spaces
A: Structure and Atmosphere
1. Landscape Whirlpool Center: Aggregation and Flow Strategy
1.1 Centralized Landscape Strategy
The current landscape design strategy focuses all key landscape attractions in a single core area. Unlike the initial design, where pedestrian flow was dispersed and the courtyard between the hills and the commercial entrance was separated, the new design creates a centralized super attraction point, forming a
1.2 Concentrated Investment Point
By concentrating landscape investment in one point, the efficient use of funds is ensured, making this point the top visual and experiential focal point. Optimized resource allocation is achieved to deliver the best landscape effect.
1.3 Optimized Commercial Flowline Design
The design emphasizes a simple and efficient commercial flowline, allowing people to reach various destinations in the most convenient way, enhancing the overall user experience and operational efficiency. The new design integrates above-ground and underground spaces, creating a fully three-dimensional dynamic flow, ensuring smooth pedestrian traffic.
2. Multi-functional Spaces
Flexible and Efficient Spatial Design
In the 3D Structural Functional Landscape Site, there are three main areas: the Vally Stream Yard, the Waterfall Center, and the Meteor Tunnel.
2.1 Vally Stream Yard:
The Vally Stream Yard is designed as the central landscape art experience. During the day, it features an otherworldly, fantastical green terrain with themed vegetation and artistic space design; at night, it transforms into a starry art exhibition, utilizing ETFE structural design with blank spaces, allowing for the possibility of creating a multifunctional art exhibition area. The connection to the Meteor Tunnel not only optimizes the artistic experience of the commercial space but also enhances the convenience of transportation.
2.2 Waterfall Center:
As the main entrance to the underground site, the Waterfall Center Plaza serves not only as a multifunctional outdoor theater but also as a venue for various commercial events and small-scale performances.
2.3 Three-Dimensional Transportation:Through careful design, the main commercial circulation is unified with the landscape, maximizing the overall experience of the landscape space. The Meteor Tunnel serves as a key hub connecting the main commercial buildings, facilitating seamless integration and efficient flow of pedestrian traffic.
2.3 Three-Dimensional Transportation:Through careful design, the main commercial circulation is unified with the landscape, maximizing the overall experience of the landscape space. The Meteor Tunnel serves as a key hub connecting the main commercial buildings, facilitating seamless integration and efficient flow of pedestrian traffic.
3. Structure and Atmosphere
Integration of Traditional Elements and Modern Aesthetics
3.1 Extraction and Integration of Traditional Elements
The design concept of the Vally Stream Yard focuses on extracting and integrating traditional Chinese landscape elements—mountains, waterfalls, and starry skies—to create a landscape environment that is both impactful and comfortable. Through the clever combination of these three elements, an artistic center that merges beauty and natural aesthetics is formed. As the ancients said, “The waterfall cascades down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way is falling from the heavens.” This design connects ancient aspirations for beautiful scenery with the brilliance of the modern starry river, forming a temporal link between the past and the future.
3.2 Landscape Structure and Artistic AtmosphereThe landscape space structure is surrounded by lush trees, with ample blank space in the center of the Vally Stream Yard, providing potential development space for art exhibitions and landscape lighting, enhancing the artistic atmosphere. Through thoughtfully designed landscape lighting and artistic installations, the aesthetic appeal and ambiance of the space are further elevated.
3.3 Combination of Innovation and TraditionBy combining elements of traditional Chinese landscape with modern design techniques, this approach retains the charm of Chinese landscapes while incorporating innovative elements of contemporary art, creating a landscape space that is rich in traditional meaning yet full of modern vitality.
The design concept of the Vally Stream Yard focuses on extracting and integrating traditional Chinese landscape elements—mountains, waterfalls, and starry skies—to create a landscape environment that is both impactful and comfortable. Through the clever combination of these three elements, an artistic center that merges beauty and natural aesthetics is formed. As the ancients said, “The waterfall cascades down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way is falling from the heavens.” This design connects ancient aspirations for beautiful scenery with the brilliance of the modern starry river, forming a temporal link between the past and the future.
3.2 Landscape Structure and Artistic AtmosphereThe landscape space structure is surrounded by lush trees, with ample blank space in the center of the Vally Stream Yard, providing potential development space for art exhibitions and landscape lighting, enhancing the artistic atmosphere. Through thoughtfully designed landscape lighting and artistic installations, the aesthetic appeal and ambiance of the space are further elevated.
3.3 Combination of Innovation and TraditionBy combining elements of traditional Chinese landscape with modern design techniques, this approach retains the charm of Chinese landscapes while incorporating innovative elements of contemporary art, creating a landscape space that is rich in traditional meaning yet full of modern vitality.
Plants system:
One: Interior Space: Grassland Starry Sky Art Museum with Four Seasons Theme
Plants In the Gallery:
Spring Plant:Dwarf Purple Sage
(Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’)
Description: In spring, the dwarf purple sage produces deep purple flower spikes, creeping along the ground, reaching a height of 30 cm.
Features: Highly cold-resistant, ideal for spring planting, adding dynamism and vitality to the landscape.
Spring Plant:Dwarf Purple Sage
(Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’)
Description: In spring, the dwarf purple sage produces deep purple flower spikes, creeping along the ground, reaching a height of 30 cm.
Features: Highly cold-resistant, ideal for spring planting, adding dynamism and vitality to the landscape.
Summer Plant:Yellow Iris
(Iris pseudacorus)
Description: In summer, the yellow iris showcases bright yellow flowers on tall, sturdy stems, reaching a height of 80 cm.
Features: Prefers moist environments and blooms in the summer.
Autumn Plant:Lavender
(Lavandula spp.)
Description: In autumn, lavender presents purple flower spikes and fragrant leaves, with flower stems typically growing to about 60 cm.
Features: Drought and heat resistant, blooms in autumn.
Winter Plant:
Dappled Willow
(Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nishiki’)
Description: In winter, the dappled willow's red, pink, and white leaves continue to grow in the cold season. Branches can reach about 1.5 meters.
Features: Suitable for cold regions, with brightly colored winter foliage