ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Zhangjiang Science and Technology City as “Living University” in Pudong, China by gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und PartnerJuly 1st, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner The design of the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) and KCAP Architects & Planners, in cooperation with landscape architects Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl, was awarded first prize in the competition for Zhangjiang Science and Technology City in Shanghai. The international team was able to prevail against two other competitors. For gmp and KCAP, this is the second successful cooperative effort, having already jointly developed the urban masterplan for Hamburg’s OlympiaCity.
Zhangjiang Science and Technology City is located in Pudong, Shanghai’s prosperous district to the east of the city, strategically placed between the city center and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The extension and urban development of this area forms part of the overarching national strategy aimed at sustainably strengthening research and development, rather than purely industrial production. In this context it is intended to create China’s largest and most important science city on a site of about 84 square kilometers – a pilot project serving as a national example. The size of the project area exceeds that of Manhattan or of Lingang New City to the south-east, which is currently under construction. The significant location factor of prosperous high-tech developments – such as at Silicon Valley, New York or elsewhere – is the formation of clusters, where interdisciplinary exchange and local networking can take place. The importance of physical proximity in explicitly urban environments that fosters direct encounters remains significant, even in times of a globally networked economy – ideas sometimes cross corridors and roads more easily than continents and oceans. For this reason, the designers adopted the strategy of creating a “living university” – a constellation of clusters around the existing and future high-tech institutions (industries, universities and technology clusters) in combination with attractive housing and cultural, sports, and educational facilities. At a physical level, this is continued with the definition of clearly contoured roads and landscaping. The design creates a comprehensive framework by utilizing the existing structures that have already been developed in the area to varying degrees, and integrating waterways, landscaping and a dense network of public transport systems, and embedding attractive living environments in mixed-function urban parcels that form fertile ground for sustainable urban development. In this way, this concept articulates a succinct antidote to an undistinguished urban sprawl, creating a network of high-density urban clusters that benefit from the attraction of urban centers, and also radiate outwards. As part of the cooperative effort, KCAP took responsibility for the overall strategic urban masterplan. This was designed for robust growth in accordance with the large scale and heterogeneous existing structures, allowing for long-term development and the dynamic nature of the area. Based on this plan, gmp has designed more detailed masterplans for three key areas including the main center of the Science City, referred to as the Public Center. The design partner for the integrated landscape and environmental technology design was Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl. gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects The architectural practice von Gerkan, Marg and Partners was founded by Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg in 1965. Since its inception, it has grown to employ more than 500 employees, with offices in twelve cities, both in Germany and internationally. In over 50 years, Meinhard von Gerkan, Volkwin Marg and their partners have designed and constructed buildings in most major German cities. They encompass all typologies from small scale homes, hotels, museums, theaters and concert halls, office buildings, commercial centers and hospitals as well as research, educational and sports facilities, buildings for transportation, trade and industry buildings and master plans. gmp became internationally recognized as a team of architects when, in 1975, the Berlin Tegel airport building, with its drive-in airplane terminal was constructed. This innovative design has been further developed to transform the city airports in Stuttgart and Hamburg. In 2006, Berlin’s Central Rail Station was completed, the largest rail transportation hub in Europe. Current projects include cultural buildings such as the Kunsthalle Mannheim and the conversion of the Kulturpalast in Dresden. gmp has established a worldwide reputation for innovative architecture and has been successfully operating internationally for decades. Amongst numerous projects in China, prominent are the grand theaters in Chongqing, Qingdao and Tianjin as well as the Chinese National Museum in Beijing. In addition to these landmark buildings is the realization of the new city of Lingang. Established to the southeast of Shanghai, Lingang will be a completely new city for 1.3 million inhabitants. Designed and built in accordance to a master plan by gmp. Projects in Hanoi/ Vietnam include the Hanoi Museum the Vietnamese National Assembly Building. Along with cultural and infrastructure projects, gmp´s sports facilities are gaining attention worldwide, with the oriental Sports Center in Shanghai and the stadia for the last three Soccer Worldcup Events in Germany, South Africa and Brazil. To the present day, more than 390 projects designed by gmp have been constructed and have been recognized with numerous accolades and awards. KCAP Architects&Planners KCAP Architects&Planners is an internationally operating design firm specialised in architecture and urbanism. KCAP holds offices in Rotterdam (NL), Zurich (CH) and Shanghai (CN) and works with a staff of 85 professionals. KCAP is led by five partners: Han van den Born, Kees Christiaanse, Ruurd Gietema, Irma van Oort and Ute Schneider. Since its founding in 1989 by Kees Christiaanse, KCAP has grown to be one of the leading offices for architecture and urban planning in Europe and Asia. Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl At Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl we believe that a vibrant public realm is at the heart of liveable cities. It creates communities, brings people in touch with nature and is a source of learning, pleasure, health and wellness. For more than 35 years we have delivered high quality projects in the field of landscape architecture, urban design and urban hydrology that enables liveability while creating climate adaptive and resilient cities. Our well-tried approach puts collaboration, hands-on public participation and cross-agency coordination as the first step in arriving at innovative solutions that generate civic pride. We solve multiple urban challenges by creating desirable green spaces often in marginal land while at the same time solving stormwater flooding problems, improving water quality and thereby creating harmonious blue-green solutions, increasing also the resilience of urban areas. Categories: Science Centre, University |