Integrated development of architecture and landscape to regenerate the green hills
WUHAN AVIC PARK

WUHAN AVIC PARK is located in the Optics Valley district, an emerging area of Wuhan where high-tech industries are concentrated. The two towers at the east and west ends of the park will house offices, R&D facilities, and service apartments. The lower level area connecting the towers will house an aviation exhibition hall and a commercial facility. The site was developed by cutting into hilly terrain with elevation differences. The rooftops of the aviation exhibition hall and commercial facilities integrate architecture and landscape by recreating the shape of a green hill following the original topography.

Wuhan, known as the “City of a Hundred Lakes,” is a city that has developed alongside its water, with many lakes including the famous Donghu Lake, a popular tourist destination. With this background in mind, the design team was first inspired by the lakes and the magnificent sky reflected on their surfaces. The design concept of “Sky and a Hundred Lakes,” which combines the advanced technology of the aviation industry with the changing scenery of Wuhan throughout the four seasons, was born.
Wuhan is also known as one of the “three major boiler cities” along with Chongqing and Nanjing, which are also located on the Yangtze River, because the summer heat is intense. The heat island phenomenon is a serious problem, so we have taken various measures to create a cooling effect throughout the site.

For example, the green hills have elliptical openings that are designed to resemble the scenery of the hundred’s lakes, and the structure allows wind to flow under the artificial ground. In addition, the extensive rooftop greening is expected to have a moderating effect on rising temperatures through the process of transpiration. Furthermore, the facade of the high-rise tower has been designed with curves to create a flow of wind, and measures have been taken to bring a comfortable breeze into the interior.

As a measure against flooding, we are also working to create a so-called “sponge city” that reduces the burden on urban rainwater drainage by storing rainwater in the green areas and slowly releasing it. In this way, by controlling wind, water, light and heat around the green hills, we have created an “environmental device” that suppresses the heat island effect.

Since the pandemic, the creation of community spaces has become an important issue in China. As visitors to exhibition halls and commercial facilities, office workers, and apartment residents all come and go, it can be said that the creation of public spaces that can accommodate a variety of activities is also a major theme of this project.

Entering the Aviation Exhibition Hall from the approach inspired by the image of a wing, and climbing the stairs, you will find a lush rooftop garden before your eyes. There is a viewing deck where you can enjoy the sky, an outdoor theater that can be used for events, a playground for children, a cherry blossom terrace, and more, where you can spend your time relaxing and enjoying the scenery of each season. It embodies the story of diverse people gathering under one sky.

The greenery, which is centered on plants native to Wuhan, was planned with an awareness of gradation, with existing plants on the forest side, flowers and trees that allow you to enjoy the changing seasons on the hill, and street trees that will be the face of the city on the south side. The green hills, which are made up of a wide variety of plants, are home to birds and other creatures, and it is hoped that they will become a base for the local ecological network in the future.

Another key point is that it is linked to existing green spaces, creating a connection with the surrounding environment that does not end within the development area. The aim was to create a public space that would receive the energy and creativity of the various people living in the area, and create a culture that would propose a new urban image and lifestyle for the Guang’gu district.

This “natural hill open to the public” has been well received by the client and local government. A national park with an aviation theme is planned for the area to the east, and Nikken Sekkei is designing it. The park, which is planned to be expanded in the future, will realize aspects that could not be achieved in the man-made WUHAN AVIC PARK, such as a waterfront biotope and forest playground, as well as activities. We believe that this will enable us to create a landscape with two “wings.”

Due to the impact of the COVID-19, we were unable to visit the site after 2020, and were forced to work remotely, viewing the work through photographs and videos. The fact that we were able to complete this overseas project, which is already difficult to carry out according to the plans, is due to the trust and collaboration with the staff of the China office, the business operators, and the local designers.

In landscape design, which is highly public in nature, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the local history, culture and society. Of course, there are many aspects that are difficult to grasp from the perspective of a “foreigner,” but by viewing things objectively as a third party, you can see new values and “local characteristics” that the locals themselves may not have noticed. This is also one of the difficulties and fascinations of overseas projects.

Rather than blindly increasing the greening rate, we read the context and constraints of the site and created a rich public space that connects with the surrounding area. We believe that the process and style we used at WUHAN AVIC PARK will become the standard for future landscape design. The value of landscape will continue to increase in the future, as it provides solutions to global warming and energy issues, and reduces the burden on cities.