Project Backgroud
West Fifth-Street, Sanlitun, is an existing campus nestled within the Second Embassy District. Strategically connecting Sanlitun and Liangma River. It serves not only as node between two vibrant urban hubs in the area. As an open space in the embassy district, we aim to integrate nature and art into the campus, using various types of characteristic garden and plazas, continuous internal green pedestrian, creating a “Garden Green Core” fostering an open, shared community. Landscape renovation, as the pioneer of the campus transformation, revitalizes the site, gradually developing an open and diverse urban district.
Design Strategy
The design begins with a “subtraction” approach: clearing redundant understory shrubs to reveal the natural forms of magnolias, Chinese crabapples, ginkgoes, and cypresses, creating a spatial transparency. Then an “addition” strategy is to introduce pedestrian paths and activity spaces beneath the trees canopy to reclaiming recreational areas for leisure, and commercial cultural vitality. The concept of the overall spatial elements inspired by the blooming of magnolias in the yard. A series of “petal”-shaped flower pavements are created as paving and “myriad ” forming the garden. The gaps of jigsaw patterns give the breath of the space for plants, reflecting the life force of the site.
South Central Garden
Adjacent to street, central garden serves as the “living room” of the campus. The renovation connects two green spaces on either side as one maximized lawn area. Large “magnolia petal”-shaped white precast concrete blocks function both as pathways and plazas, flexibly scattered throughout the green space. creating a garden ambiance where those “white petals” seem to have gently fallen and flowing onto the ground nature. The strategy not only allows flexible avoidance of existing trees and manholes also creates a relaxed and lively garden atmosphere.
Northwest Garden
The northwest side of the park serves as the “backyard” for offices and restaurants, featuring higher vegetation coverage. Mature magnolia groves and large cedars have already established a serene atmosphere by preserving existing woods and introducing winding, natural woodland trails. Characteristic shaped concrete bricks, resembling scattered magnolia petals, are dispersed throughout the garden.
Green Pedestrian Corridor
Pedestrian circulation serves as both essential routes for movement and leisurely strolls, connecting various garden space nodes. By leveling pedestrian paving areas with roadways, it optimizes walking experience, clarifies functional boundaries, and enhances overall comfort within the park. Understory pedestrian spaces will incorporate resting areas and commercial outdoor seating for an open campus.
Urban Garden Significance
With the landscape renovation of campus, the southern entrance on street is gradually open, allowing free access to the gardens from the external. Courtyard transformed into an open district where “campus” boundaries dissolve, integrating internal shops, F&B cafes, and green corridors with urban streets. The gardens will be publicly visible, greeting visitors with scenery, providing greater possibilities for cultural and commercial enhancement in the entire area.
As a public space, planting design achieves a balance between social benefits and economic costs for urban gardens. The project avoids high-maintenance seasonal flowers, instead selecting native plants and long-lived perennial species, which not only saves ongoing public funding but also effectively creates sustainable, context-specific public landscapes.
Data
Landscape architecture: OneScape LLC
Photo credits: IAM, OneScape
Other credits: Strategy and Commercial Plan: D-Park Cultural Agnecy
Year completed: 2024
Manufacturer of urban or play equipment: Beijing LanBao、 LvPuFangYuan
