The masterplan for the National Creative Cluster by Sasaki Associates integrates the urban form with the surrounding landscape by creating a series of green wedges, interspersed within the urban clusters and forming a series of community parks. Located near Songzhuang, a quiet village on the outskirts of Beijing, the success of the district is tied to its openness, where people can interact in both structured and spontaneous ways to exchange ideas and have constructive dialogue. More images and architects’ description after the break.
A unique opportunity exists to create a new urban district dedicated entirely to the cultivation of new ideas. The National Creative Cluster (NCC) is envisioned as China’s preeminent knowledge hub, making the district a center for the country’s innovative home-grown talent and a destination for the world’s most creative thinkers. Sasaki’s master plan for NCC—selected in May 2012 as the preferred scheme for implementation—focuses on principles that underscore and support the overarching philosophy of the district: to bring industries with shared values and complementary skills and technologies together to help spark new ideas.
To attract a talented workforce, NCC will also provide institutes for continuing education, museums and galleries for inspiration, entertainment venues to encourage social interaction, and bold landscapes to help recharge the mind, body, and spirit. The district’s diversity of industry, people, and spatial relationships are aimed to foster creativity and encourage an endless stream of new ideas.
The landscape is both beautiful and functional—it encourages biodiversity, filters stormwater, and provides seasonal interest and color. The landscape also forms a strong connection between humans and nature, which fuels innovation and creativity. A new transit loop is also a key element of the plan, and establishes a connection between the hubs of NCC to the existing core of the Songzhaung Artists Village to enhance the movement of both people and ideas.
Architects: Sasaki Associates Location: Beijing, China Principal-in-charge: Michael Grove Lead Urban Designer/Project Manager: Martin Zogran Participating Principals: Isabel Zempel, Dennis Pieprz Lead Urban Designer: Martin Zogran Urban Designer/Landscape Architect: Ming-Jen Hsueh Urban Designers: Youngju Cho, Hsing-Chih Lee Landscape Architects: Ponnapa Prakkamkul, Steve Walz Landscape Ecologist: Anthony Fettes Transportation Planner: Andy McClurg Architect: Pablo Nistal Graphic Designers: Jeff Sprague, Neda Movaghar Client: Hengtian Hi-Tech Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Sustainable Features: Habitat Creation, Innovative Stormwater Management, Green Roof, Alternative Energy Generation
