Nanjing, China
Situated in Nanjing’s Jiangbei New District, the Chengnan Riverfront Urban Complex is a mixed-use development that exemplifies urban integration through innovative design. With a total gross floor area of 232,000 square meters, the project features an outlet mall, a 100-meter office tower, and an 80-meter apartment tower.
The project faced a significant challenge due to the site’s division into two separate plots 90 meters apart, divided by the Nannong River and its pump station. This spatial division and the natural barrier of the river posed obstacles to cohesive design and urban integration. The disruptive presence of the pump station further interfered with the urban interface, rendering the riverside spaces unsightly and underutilized. Additionally, the limited commercial area of each plot was inadequate for the spatial demands and operational viability of a retail mall.
To address these challenges, the design team successfully convinced the local authorities to allow construction across plot boundaries, linking the two plots with elevated commercial bridges. These bridges unify the project into a large-scale mall, activating its commercial value and strategically concealing the pump station within. With a focus on urban permeability and public accessibility, the elevated commercial bridges allow for a network of pedestrian pathways that seamlessly connect the surrounding areas to the central courtyard, allowing the public to easily access and gather at the heart of the development.
Focusing on placemaking and community engagement, the design creates inviting spaces for the public. The commercial bridges enclose a central courtyard that embraces the Nannong River, transforming underused riverside spaces into a vibrant, multifunctional public space. The river, adorned with a musical fountain, becomes the visual focal point of the courtyard, while the adjacent waterfront plazas are transformed into bustling venues for a wide range of public and commercial activities. To enhance the ‘Eco River Valley’ concept, the project features intricately layered terraces around the central courtyard, creating a rich, multi-dimensional interaction space.
The dynamic, curved profiles on each floor generate scenic verandas and pleasant pocket spaces, fostering vibrant interactions and ecological experiences within the environmentally integrated environment. The green rooftop platforms provide another captivating space for public activities, offering panoramic views of the urban landscape and the Chengnan River. These spaces serve as outdoor dining areas for restaurants, movie screening venues, and multifunctional platforms for group exercises and community gatherings.
Drawing inspiration from Nanjing’s culture and heritage, the design integrates indigenous elements such as ‘Yunjin’ silk brocade and the ‘Ancient Palace Wall’, reinterpreting these traditional motifs with modern architectural expressions. The design features smooth, patterned curved glass to represent a silk ribbon flowing around the building, while 3D terracotta tiles replace traditional bricks for a modern aesthetic.
The smooth, ‘Yunjin’-patterned curved glass provides a striking contrast to the 3D terracotta tiles, establishing a distinctive landmark that comes alive with LED displays at night. Ribbon-like motifs are strategically placed at key locations like the mall entrances and extended to the tower design, featuring crowns and the double-volumed shard space that promote user interaction and communication. This design approach unifies the entire complex into an integrated whole, echoing the urban nodes and enhancing the overall architectural spatial configuration.
This project epitomizes a cohesive urban complex with multiple functions, blending nature, culture, technology, and architecture into a landmark that not only engages but also enriches the community. Seamlessly merging with the urban environment, it establishes itself as a regional hub for commercial and social activities, evolving into a diverse and dynamic lifestyle destination.
Design Architect: DP Architects
Design Team: Wu Zhi Wei, Joee Ong, Luo Hao, Wang Bin, Tristan Padong, Zhai Jian Gang, Ma Yue, Pan Hong, Jorge Noel Zabala Ortega, Li Wen Na, Xiang Yi Wei, Guo Jin, Altankhuu Jorgutyn, Ling Yan Fei, and Zhang Wu Tao Architect of Record: Nanjing City-Town Architecture Design & Consultants Co., Ltd.
General Contractor: Shanghai Construction No.4 (Group) Co., Ltd.
Landscape Architects: Suzhou Ecological Landscaping Construction Group, Ltd.
Client: Nanjing Yanchuang Development & Construction Co., Ltd.
Photographs Courtesy of DP Architects and Nanjing City-Town Architecture Design & Consultants Co., Ltd.
