A vertical gathering of the overall “bow tie” plan into a Water and Mountain tower alludes to the spirit of Hangzhou. From this central position in thelarge site, one tower branches towards tributary forms approaching the Oxygen sector while the other branches toward landscape forms at the Boiler sector.There are six large-scale elements which hover between landform and architecture. The new elements intersect and transform the existing factory buildings; invigorating them with new programs.1. Water TowerA round tower rising from a water pond branches out to provide pedestrian circulation to the North. This glass tower houses offices with retail space at the base and a restaurant and event space at the top.2. Canal SpreadersA new zone of recreational waterstrips, parklike and open to views from the main highway, identifies the center of the whole project. Thin buildings offer a variety of housing types: Live/work lofts for artists in residence, service apartments and boutique design hotels can be found in this new green zone of trees and waterscape.3. Lantern TowersThe lantern towers take inspiration from the old stone lanterns in West Lake, setting “fire over water.” Photovoltaic glass curtain walls gather the sun’s energy during the day. At night, one elevation of each tower glows via special Fresnel glass, reflecting the day’s energy in the water. One loft apartment per floor is connected by an elevator to collective lobbies below the pond. Health club, spa, retail shopping and parking levels connect the lower levels.4. Green and Glass ArcsPiercing the oxygen plant building walls, green arcs provide functional connections and service programs such as cafes, bicycle storage and information kiosks. These low and light-weight glass arcades have open sides and green roofs.5. Mountain TowerAt the center of the site, the Mountain Tower is joined via an escalator bridge to an event space at the top to the Water Tower. This tower of translucent ceramic skin and green roofs branches to a landscape of faceted green mounds at the Boiler buildings. A hotel with service apartments has an event space and restaurant at the top and retail space on the lower level. 6. 3D ParkAt the far west of the Boiler buildings, a tilted landform of natural grasses is punctured for light. Hovering over a large public water garden, the structure is a dodecahedron truss which contains a hotel, restaurants and cafes. In events where the large Boiler building is used for an Expo, the water garden has a platform floor allowing for it to be used as an exhibition and grand entrance.The basic renovation strategy is to clean and minimally restore the existing building shells, inserting a new ground floor with radiant heat and cooling connected to geothermal wells. This will provide an economic and sustainable temperature climate for the buildings.Within the minimally restored shells of the Oxygen and Boiler plants, new experimental architectural forms, designed by a variety of talented artists and architects, may take on functions of cafes, bars, and exhibit or performance spaces. The strategy of keeping the basic industrial shells raw and articulating interior pavilions will allow for interior variety. In addition, it allows for a flexible programmatic plan which can take adjustments over time.While the fusion of landscape and architecture characterizes all the new elements of the overall plan, the old factory building shells provide a perfect space for new experimental designs that will attract a wide variety of visitors; a balance of the spirit of old Hangzhou with an embrace of the future.
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