Ice Flower

This project is located in Sun Island (a 5A-level scenic area) in Harbin, with "ice flowers" as its concept. It transforms the original hotel into a new media hub integrating art, technology and ecology.

Nestled along the Songhua River, we anchor our design in the cultural symbolism of the river’s unique ice flowers. This natural phenomenon, born only from the extreme cold of Northeast China, embodies the connection between the site and nature while resonating with the origin of the name "Songhua River," rooting the design deeply in its regional identity.

Taking Harbin's winter ice flowers as its starting point, the design introduces the concept of ice curtain. Through spatial restructuring, it replicates the form of ice flowers to reshape the facade, echoing the imagery of ice flowers. Twenty sets of linked screens form a "sky-curtain-style" medium, projecting diverse content. As the largest public information interface in the region, it not only enriches the visual experience but also metaphorizes its extensive influence.

The design team persuaded the client to add a "news media lounge", breaking the closed nature of media buildings and enhancing public participation. The building has three functions: a non-open comprehensive office area, an open "urban information media lounge", and supporting services.

Throughout the entire design phase, the project utilizes artificial intelligence technologies (such as deep learning and multi-objective optimization) and optimizes performance adhering to the concept of low carbon and high comfort. It recycles demolition waste for interior decoration. Through 15 technologies, it strives to become the first ultra-low energy consumption renovation project in severe cold regions and a LEED Platinum green building demonstration. It provides an integrated model of computational design and construction for the revitalization of Northeast China and urban renewal, showcasing the exploration of low-carbon computational design and the integration of design, construction and operation and maintenance.