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Jining Sunac 1917
By : Jianan Zhou, Pengling Hu, Zhaochen Zhong
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Landscape & Territories
Categories : Urban Design / Urban Design Plan : Silver Certification
Situated in the heart of Jining, Shandong Province, this project, aptly named Sunac 1917, is a manifestation of urban life intertwined with the historical narrative of the canal. It draws its inspiration from the establishment of the Yongshun Ironworks in 1917, a pivotal moment in the industrial evolution of the region. Once the thriving grounds of Shandong Shantui Machinery Co., Ltd., this site bears witness to the industrial prowess of a bygone era, serving as a testament to the relentless march of progress. As a historical artifact, it not only encapsulates the industrial heritage of the city but also serves as a living monument to the collective memories and experiences of generations past. Through meticulous preservation and adaptive reuse, this project seeks to honor the legacy of the site while seamlessly integrating contemporary urban life, thus fostering a harmonious coexistence between tradition and modernity.
01 City block under phoenix trees
Under the sycamore-lined streets of Jining’s historic Rencheng district lies a nuanced urban fabric, where the intricate interplay between vehicular flow, pedestrian movement, and neighborhood activities is meticulously orchestrated. Rooted in principles of urban design scholarship, this project leverages the natural permeability of sycamore trees to establish a hierarchical transition from bustling cityscape to intimate neighborhood enclave. Through strategic interventions such as sunken steps and linear lighting, we endeavor to cultivate an interactive ecological system within the neighborhood, fostering an environment conducive to scholarly discourse, community engagement, and inclusive urban living.
02 Memory of time
At the entrance of the neighborhood stands a modernist structure, a temporal corridor spanning through the ages—a century of history recording the trajectory of urban development, a testament to the industrial glory of Shantui. The entrance corridor, nestled amidst sycamore trees, runs parallel to the flow of traffic in a contemporary manner. Here, we seek the collision of old and new—within the technological materials of the entrance, the modern state is refracted and juxtaposed. Above the floating tree planters, sculptures crafted from industrial remnants, remnants of the century-old sycamore trees once dependent on the Shantui factory, are preserved in their entirety, enveloped in sculptural forms.
“Time Box,” as the starting point of the reception space sequence and a nexus between past and present, weaves shadows of light and mirrors with mirrored materials, as if immersed in a dreamlike tunnel of time. By reconfiguring industrial parts into new artistic installations like “Cast,” the historical relics of the site are imbued with new life, reintegrated into the vitality of the city.
The installation “Memories of Sycamores” preserves and transplants three French sycamore trees with unique memories, allowing those who once worked and lived here to see them still radiating brilliance, recording the decline of the site and its current prosperity.
The installation “Amber of Time” repurposes abandoned machinery found on-site, originally conceived to infuse them with new meaning. The historical heroes of yesteryears continue to shine brightly in our time and space.
The structure of the Time Box, yielding to the city’s main axis, floats within the neighborhood, engaging in a dialogue between past and present.
03 Mirror of future life
Within the expansive urban thoroughfares, we embark on a scholarly exploration of life along the Jining Canal, an endeavor that encapsulates both the contemporary and future facets of residential existence. Drawing inspiration from the intricate waterways of the canal, our design interventions evoke a sense of continuity with the past while embracing the dynamic possibilities of the future. Through meticulous attention to detail, we have seamlessly integrated elements of the canal’s flow into the fabric of everyday life at street corners, where activities unfold amidst the safety and freedom afforded by thoughtful urban planning.
At Dock Street, our incorporation of symbolic boulders and meticulously crafted ground pavements not only pays homage to the historical significance of the docks but also serves as a tangible reminder of the canal’s enduring legacy. Through the interactive water curtain landscapes, we engage with the site’s collective memory, creating visual focal points and landmarks that invite scholarly contemplation and public interaction, thus transforming the space into a vibrant hub of academic discourse and community engagement.
The “Mirror of the Canal” stands as a testament to our commitment to architectural excellence, utilizing advanced techniques to articulate the grandeur of the surrounding structures while simultaneously celebrating the fluidity and dynamism of the canal’s waters. Through the innovative design of the “1917 Time Tower,” we transcend the confines of traditional spatial constructs, inviting visitors to explore multidimensional realms where tangible forms intertwine with abstract expressions of temporality and historical resonance. As dusk descends, the site comes alive with the playful laughter of children beneath the shimmering water curtains, evoking a sense of wonder and awe that is reminiscent of scholarly inquiry and intellectual exploration.
In the quietude of nightfall, as the city gradually retreats into a hushed repose, the site becomes a sanctuary for contemplation and introspection, a refuge from the bustling urban landscape. Here, amidst the tranquil embrace of trees and waterways, one finds solace in the harmonious convergence of academic rigor and architectural innovation, a testament to the enduring legacy of scholarly inquiry and the boundless possibilities of the human intellect.
As the walls of the aged factory compound are unsealed, a profound intersection of history and prospect emerges, epitomizing the synergy between the relics of industrial heritage and the nascent possibilities of tomorrow. Embedded within the matrix of urban rejuvenation, this convergence animates the erstwhile site and its surrounding neighborhoods, heralding a renaissance of urban vitality. This revitalization not only catalyzes novel visions for urban living but also serves as a prologue, offering a foretaste of life for incoming residents.
Collaboration
