Aedas, Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group triumphed in an international design contest to create the conceptual scheme for the Chongqing Cuntan Cruise Terminal TOD. The project site sits within the Chongqing’s Cuntan Port area, the city’s key connectivity node along the Yangtze River since ancient times.
The project will become a 100,000 sq m mixed-use complex, hosting the terminal station as well as a spade of urban features. “The design seeks to promote the marrow of the Chongqing spirit, materialise a landmark part and parcel to the future development of Cuntan Port area and the larger urban space,” says Aedas Global Design Principal Dr. Andy Wen.
The main building consists of a retail podium and two linked towers containing offices, hotels/apartments, and a sky club. Inspired by the Chinese ancient painting trope of the Dragon Gate the two towers are symmetrically positioned on the podium while connected via a crown sky bridge, forming a hollow space in the middle to extend the green corridor towards the hinterland.
The design constitutes a layered urban space built on a composite transportation system, stitching the plot with surrounding area through three-dimensional greening. Leaning into the height difference between the towers and the descending site terrain in the south, the design creates a green cascading journey along the rooftop park that seamlessly connecting the project with cruise terminal and the riverfront.
The stepping park is also dotted with vitality nodes including underground retail and dining spaces, sunken courtyards along the winding paths at multiple levels, suturing nature with urbanity. The podium atrium of the main building is designed as a transfer hall to welcome passengers from the subway station and surrounding bus stops with a dynamic retail space. The transfer hall may also be accessed from all directions via the sunken plaza, roof garden, underground retail space, as well as elevated walkways connecting to the surrounding plots.
The sweeping pedestrian system will provide seamless transfer experience between subway, road and cruise, while adding commercial value to the entire port zone. “We hope to create a world-class landmark rooted in the cultural context of Chongqing by weaving together characteristic elements in a dignified volume.” – Aedas Executive Director Nicole Liu. Source by Aedas.
- Location: Chongqing, China
- Architect: Aedas, Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD), China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group (CREEC)
- Aedas Directors: Dr. Andy Wen, Global Design Principal; Nicole Liu, Executive Director
- Host: Leading Group Office of Development and Construction of Chongqing Cuntan Area
- Organiser: Chongqing Jiangbeizui Central Business District Investment Group Co., Ltd
- Organisation Unit: Chongqing Planning & Design Institute
- Client: Chongqing Jiangbeizui Central Business District Investment Group Co.,Ltd
- Area: 100,000 sq m
- Year: 2021
- Images: Courtesy of Aedas
