ARCHIPELAGO JIANHU, China

Tipology Competition // Location China // Timetable 2023 // Project TeamBALANCE with TURIN DESIGN HUB (Edoardo Bruno, Camilla Forina, Xian Lu, 2MIX Architetti, Archisbang, Corbellaro SA, Gianpiero Moretti, Studio Cavaglion, Davide Borra, Alp Arda, Liu Ming, Liu Xiao, Shi Yongde and Wang Yixuan)//

Archipelago Jianhu represents a theoretical project developed by BALANCE Architettura together with China room of Polito and TDH. Initiated in December 2021 by the People’s Government of Keqiao District (Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province), the Beyond YUE/Jianhu Revival competition centers on a project site spanning the shores of Jianhu Lake, covering a total area of 15 kmq. Recognized as the birthplace of Shaoxing rice wine, it holds a significant tourist and industrial importance. In this perspective, among the competition requests was the enhancement of an harmonious interplay between landscape and city, cultural heritage and modernity, tourism and citizens’ lives: a vibrant space pulsating with ecological and cultural vitality, and dynamic industrial synergy. The proposal developed by the team, strategically ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BALANCE Architettura with the TURIN DESIGN HUB (Edoardo Bruno, Camilla Forina, Xian Lu, 2MIX Architetti, Archisbang, Corbellaro SA, Gianpiero Moretti, Studio Cavaglion, Davide Borra, Alp Arda, Liu Ming, Liu Xiao, Shi Yongde and Wang Yixuan) leverages the inherent potential of the location serving as a convergence point for various spatial realities. Longitudinally connecting the expanding metropolitan regions of Hangzhou and Shaoxing, it establishes new transversal development axes that amplify the local characteristics. In this scheme, water organizes and delineates the plots of the “Archipelago Jianhu,” while four robust development axes constitute the foundational elements of the new urban structure, stretching from the northeast towards the mountains. These primary axes foster improved connections with neighboring districts, enhancing the internal road network to uplift the overall livability of the area. A “smart densification” strategically aligns with these paths, concurrently encouraging lighter urbanization around green spaces and agricultural areas. In tandem with the project’s design outcome, it is pivotal to further mention the employed working system that prompted the inclusion of professionals and scholars, broadening the discourse to include educators outside the project team. This additional level of collaboration aimed to expand the project’s horizons by facilitating interactions across diverse knowledge domains and anticipating the effects that such interactions might trigger. It streamlined the conversion of theoretical-critical knowledge into practical applications, fostering the exchange of ideas, skills, and abilities, in essence the implementation of an innovative model for knowledge generation. By seamlessly integrating local knowledge, scientific expertise, and industrial experience, the interactions launched by Polito Studio strives to cultivate new skills and strengthen cross-sectoral collaborations with businesses and universities, thereby promoting growth and fortifying the overall ecosystem of professional and scientific knowledge. Jianhu (Jian Lake) stands as a significant cultural landmark, bearing witness to a rich history as one of China’s oldest water conservancy projects and being renowned as the birthplace of Shaoxing rice wine. “Beyond Yue/Jianhu Revival” aims to coordinate the relationship between landscape and city, cultural heritage and modern industry, tourism and citizen life, defining a vibrant space with ecological vitality beyond the YUE region, cultural tension, and dynamic industrial coupling.