Yantian Jiuxu town boasts a long history as a fishing village, its square-shaped layout was once surrounded by aquaculture farms. With urbanization, this original fabric has been disrupted by new residential constructions. The plan reshapes the ground-level space with the traditional fishing village structure, evoking memories of the seaside town, while simultaneously constructing high-density residential areas above ground to accommodate the modern population. The fishing village-scale grid extends inland, incorporating a transit-oriented development (TOD) system to create a pedestrian-friendly, multi-level network.
If we slice this multidimensional grid along the coastline, the 3 vertical zones of the complex are clearly visible: the efficiently connected underground commercial complex, the vibrant and open ground-level community, and the eco-integrated seaside residential tower casting the coastal skyline. Between the 3 zoning, we insert the medium-scale public spaces to complete the transition of different functions, gathering people from the huge commercial complex on the base, then gradually dispersing them to the human-scale functions on the ground. Leisure steps, submerged skylights, atriums and other elements bridge the ground and underground space. While the terraced podium rooftop and sky corridors in the high-rises provide a transition from public to private spaces, balancing accessibility with privacy. These in-between spaces are also places where indoor and outdoor climate exchange. By arranging the simplest and traditional passive energy-efficiency strategy, the microclimate for leisure and communication is created efficiently and economically, bringing people from the air-conditioning-dominated artificial environment to a physical comfort of a natural environment.
In the residential levels, the sea view is the most valuable resource. Several high-rise residential towers are symmetrically arranged along the curve of the bay, embracing the sea view for dialogue with nature. Inside the units, the curved and meandering facades create more surfaces for residents to engage with the sea view such as the living room, bedroom, balcony, etc., ensuring users to enjoy the here and now living experience in different scenarios.
