Haitang River Ecological Park- Haitang Xiaoyi

This project serves as the architectural centerpiece for the revitalization plan of the Haitang River. Adjacent to the waterway, the site's natural terrain has meandering and sloping features formed by sedimentation and erosion. The plaza and internal circulation paths of the site are nestled below ground level, with certain areas excavated to create sunken spaces. This design creates an overall effect resembling a sculpture nestled into the riverbanks, harmonizing with the landscape. The approach reflects a gentle integration with nature, offering a tranquil, serene environment, free from clamor or bustle.

In order to sustain the transparent visual impression inside and outside, the interior breaks away from the traditional delineation of spaces by solid walls and floor divisions. Within the three-meter-high space, the extensive roof creates an illusion of space expanding outwards. A winding ramp connects areas of different elevations, making the floor feel more like a continuous undulating surface in harmony with the terrain, rather than a disjointed, flat composition.

For us, the interior pathways act as a sculptor's knife, traversing the earth's surface and soil. The movement within resembles the meandering flow of a river, whether through cuts or slow accumulations. The varying layers symbolize the quiet and ceaseless passage of time. The texture of rammed earth can portray the lines of mutual evolution between rivers and land, displaying a gentle randomness.

When architecture aims to resonate with nature, the intended design posture is one of assimilation into the environment, existing as if in a delicate balance between presence and absence.