Guiyang New Community Park Samhällspark

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The project provides a novel solution for the community park in Guiyang, China. A resilient design with a minimum of intervention that respects the site and highlights the local karst geography and former land use.
As a result, the community park successfully integrates a program of leisure activities for the public with the preservation of karst landscape formations on the one hand and a waterfront design to support the dynamic hydrological processes on the other.

Dimensions & Packaging

Landscape Design Area: 130000 ㎡
By addressing the soil stability and site reconstruction, the designers also fell back on traditional construction methods and reintroduced farming terraces. Low dry walls were partly repaired and built with local limestone rocks to protect and reinforce the land adjacent to the flood zone. Also, stairs and paths and the large amphitheater were constructed with this local building material and the whole ensemble creates a strong sense of place.

Tags

Natural, wild, art ,romantic, leisure, livable

Production Technology

The interventions on site were kept to a minimum and the existing habitat was widely preserved. Most of the trees and ground covers were retained and integrated into the new design. By addressing the soil stability and site reconstruction, the designers also fell back on traditional construction methods and reintroduced farming terraces. Low dry walls were partly repaired and built with local limestone rocks to protect and reinforce the land adjacent to the flood zone.

Design Challenge

The karst topology and proximity to the Laoma river determine the parameters for the design. There is, for example, an elevation difference of 45 meters within the site boundary to overcome. Hence the slopes inclined towards the river suffer erosion and a loss of vegetation. Equally affected is the site from the river with seasonal floods and changing water levels of up to 5 meters. Therefore, the designers developed the strategies: low intervention, traditional construction, resilient design.

Research

The landscape design reasonably plans the site, and provides important theoretical supports for protecting the original ecology of the site and reducing the amount of earthwork from the aspects of function layout, resource protection, cultural landscape protection, ecological diversity and landscape effect. In ecological design, the original trees and herbs are retained to reduce the restoration cost of ecological balance.

Inspiration

The site is located in Guiyang adjacent to Laoma River. Situated within undulating karst hills, the area previously unfolded a typical Asian scenery with green mountains, terraces, and blue rivers with sampan fishing boats. Only recently, the site context developed into a new urban district.
The designer’s main objective in this project is to preserve and emphasize the existing landscape character. Additionally, the park should provide attractions to promote the connection between human beings and nature.

Project Duration

The project was designed in Dec. 2019, and completed in June 2020 in Guiyang.

Operation Flow

1. Restore the original landform and vegetation landscape.
2. Resilient and sustainable design, local materials and traditional construction techniques are used to reduce maintenance costs.
3. The interventions on site were kept to a minimum and the existing habitat was widely preserved.
4. The diversity of public space meets the needs of people of all ages.

Image Credits

Image#1: Photographer S.P.I, Guiyang New Community Park, 2020.
Image#2: Photographer S.P.I, Guiyang New Community Park, 2020.
Image#3: Photographer S.P.I, Guiyang New Community Park, 2020.
Image#4: Photographer S.P.I, Guiyang New Community Park, 2020.
Image#5: Photographer S.P.I, Guiyang New Community Park, 2020.