foster + partners wins design for yuhang masterplan in hangzhou

foster + partners to elevate hangzhou, china

Foster + Partners shares details of its Yuhang Masterplan, which has just been selected winner in an international competition to design a new center for Hangzhou, the capital of China‘s Zhejiang province. This ambitious proposal hopes to cultivate an interconnected, landscaped mixed-use quarter at the center of the city’s Yuhang District.

‘We are delighted to have won the competition to design a new center for Hangzhou, a beautiful city with nature at its heart,’ shared Gerard Evenden, the Head of Studio at Foster + Partners. ‘Our design stemmed from extensive public consultation — and is all about developing a sustainable new urban quarter, which establishes new connections with nature and makes it a part of people’s everyday lives.’

images © Foster + Partners

Urban Design with a ‘leafy spine’

The architects at Foster + Partners envision Hangzhou’s Yuhang Masterplan as a sprawling tapestry of lush landscaping surrounding a central axis. This ‘leafy spine’ will guides visitors throughout the district. Green spaces gracefully frame the site, with a new public park to the north and a cultural hub in the south, connecting with a wetland. Along the green axis, landmarks including a public library, exhibition hall, and galleries create an avenue of arts and culture.

Bruno Moser, Head of Urban Design at Foster + Partners, describes the masterplan’s organizational core as a 2.5-kilometer central axis which runs the full length of the site, from north to south. ‘The axis intersects with different bodies of water, generating five distinctive zones with unique characteristics. Each zone celebrates the city’s relationship with water in its various forms, from streams and lakes to canals and wetlands.’

Foster + Partners secures a victory in an international competition to design a new center for Hangzhou, China

public transport to connect yuhang centre

Toward the central axis of Foster + Partners’ Yuhang Masterplan, the massing of buildings gradually ascends to form an urban center with a dynamic skyline. Building density sees an intentional increase around public transport hubs to inspire sustainable travel throughout the city. Across the entire site, public transport is conscientiously tailored to cater to the needs of local users and seamlessly integrates with the broader infrastructure system of the city. The masterplan integrates a network of multi-level infrastructure with a diverse array of ‘last mile’ transport alternatives, including shared micro-mobility, autonomous pods, shuttles, and water transport.

The low-carbon masterplan will conserve existing wetlands while weaving sustainable strategies, such as passive massing and rainwater reuse, into its fabric. With lofty aspirations, the architects aims to achieve China’s 3-star green rating, along with LEED and WELL Community Gold certification.

Yuhang Centre will integrate nature into urban life, fostering green space into the urban plan
a central axis intersects with water bodies, creating five zones that celebrate Hangzhou’s connection with water
buildings gradually step up towards the central axis to shape a vibrant urban center and skyline