Following the opening of a huge train station in the ancient Chinese city of Jiaxing, MAD Architects returns to the area with a new city centre. As with the train station, the architecture firm is again making full use of greenery. For instance, there will be a central park and the striking wavy openings are a nod to traditional local design.
Billowing sail
Jiaxing Civic Centre will be located next to a historic lake and the city's largest park. It will cover as much as 130,000 sq m and is recognisable by a flowing white exterior that looks like a billowing sail in the wind. The building will house three separate spaces: the Science and Technology Museum, an activity centre for women and children and a youth activity centre. These will have a striking interior in which wood panelling plays a leading role. Large skylights will provide (natural) lighting.
The buildings will surround a central park that will also serve as an open-air plaza for events. The trees that are there now will be preserved as much as possible and will contribute to the landscaping design.
Connection with surroundings
The first floor of the centre has connections to the surrounding area on all sides. The semi-open, semi-enclosed space can be used in different ways: for daily activities, but also as an open-air plaza for major urban cultural events. The public can take walks from the central green space, play sports, visit the amphitheatre and sunken square on the east side or enjoy the wilderness through the park forest behind the centre.
Jiaxing Civic Centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
