Beiqijia Technology Business District - 9a Biennal 2016

Martha Schwartz

Beiqijia represents a new direction for China's mixed use developments comprising apartment housing, offices and retail. The site design aims for sustainable performance through effective and efficient use of water; reduction of urban heat island effect by decreasing the amount of paved surfaces and increasing the green ratio; by taking into account the micro-climate of each zone; by screening the north-westerly winter winds and welcoming the south-easterly summer ones that are cooled further by passing over a large water feature in the south. These environmental values imbue the project with elements designed to achieve LEED Gold. The attributes promoted signal a shift in the design and planning goals for China's future as it "course-corrects" towards a more sustainable urban future. The landscape subdivides into three segmental bands each with their own character responding to the associated programs of retail, business/office or residential. Along the northern road frontage, an Eco Zone performs the environmental function of collecting and absorbing all the storm water runoff for the site. A demonstration of the project that encompasses most of these elements at a smaller scale was initially built while the entire site completes construction towards the end of this year.

Autors

Martha Schwartz