Zhuhai North Area Water Purification and Recreation Complex

The project is located in the High-tech Zone of Zhuhai, China. Responding to a growing urban density and a shortage of land resources in this seafront city, our design innovatively incorporates above-ground public facilities with an underground water treatment plant in a vertical layout. It is the very first case of such a hybrid typology in China. Above-ground facilities include an enterprise service center, bus terminal, treatment plant management office, and a sports center.

Different design strategies are applied to make this typology possible. For example, a highly efficient and consistent structural system is used to accommodate the diverse programs above ground and underground. As the sewage water treatment plant is sunken underground, to reduce excavation, we shift the traditional basement car park to the ground level and create an elevated walkway. In this way, we avoid circulation interference between vehicles and pedestrians while strengthening linkage among different parts of the site.

The above-ground sports center, as the core of the aboveground facilities, can house a maximum of 4600 spectators, offering 3100 seats at the gymnasium as well as 1500 seats at the aquatic center. With a standard basketball court, a standard 50x21m swimming pool, and a 25x21m training pool, the sports center will not only fulfill the recreational needs of citizens but also serve as an ideal venue for sports training and events.

We imagine this project to be a solution to create a comprehensive public service center in high-density cities. It serves as a “water engine” that empowers both community, infrastructure development, and environmental improvement.