DnA reprograms water conservancy center in china with covered bridges and micro dams

beijing-based firm DnA design and architecture has completed a water conservancy center in china’s zhejiang province. located near the city of lishui, the project sits on the banks of the songyin river — a vital water resource for the region. the building was originally planned as a water management center, however, in 2016, the project was reprogrammed as a ‘hydrological park’ with cultural and leisure services.

all images by wang ziling

DnA facilitated this reprogramming by opening up parts of the building to the public. for example, the archive is capable of becoming an exhibition hall, while, in addition to providing food and beverages, the canteen serves as a multimedia space for teenagers. finally, the monitoring center will be open by appointment to visitors and local schools as part of an ongoing education program.

the buildings that make up the complex take on different forms depending on their function. the public areas of the scheme are contained within curving volumes, which double as outdoor amphitheaters and walkways that provide access to roof gardens and viewing terraces. this cluster of buildings intersects with the water park at ground level to create a series of water courtyards. here, covered bridges and micro dams reproduce elements of the region’s water conservancy efforts.

1/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

name: water conservancy centre
location: baisha lake power station, hengshan mountain, songyang county, lishui, zhejiang province, china
program: water managing facilities/exhibition/leisure
client: river dam, dykes and reservoir management department of songyang county
architecture design: DnA design and architecture
principle architect: xu tiantian
lighting design: zhang xin studio, architecture department of tsinghua university
gross floor area: 6,746 sqm
building foot print: 3,373 sqm
design period: 2016.04-2016.12
construction period: 2017.03–2019.08
photography: wang ziling