Zaha Hadid Architects is designing a curving cultural district on Hangzhou’s waterfront, transforming the former industrial areas along the Zhedong Canal into a vibrant green corridor. The Qiantang Bay Cultural District will feature cultural and educational buildings, including a library, youth centre, and museum, surrounded by landscaped parklands, plazas, and performance spaces.ยน ยฒ ยณ
The library’s design is inspired by Hangzhou’s terrain, with sinuous structures and “inhabitable architectural columns” that serve as storage and reading spaces. The exterior will feature folded glass elements and masonry tiles reflecting the region’s jade artistry. The International Youth Centre will have a tiered, terrace-lined structure with a “carved interior” for auditoriums, studios, and event spaces.โด
The development incorporates flood-prevention strategies, including permeable surfaces, planted swales, and water-retention features, aligning with Hangzhou’s sponge-city infrastructure.
Image Courtesy: Dezeen
