Hengqin Island, located in Zhuhai, China, is embedded within a unique and beautiful landscape, and is currently being developed for urban growth throughout the region. Taking cues from the surrounding site, SWA’s master plan intends to capture the essence of the place, and pay homage to its most fundamental landscape elements: the sea, valley, and mountains. SWA takes its inspiration for their plan from these natural landscape elements and uses them as a framework for the development and growth of the island. Henquin’s ultimate goal for the master plan seeks to define a unique environment, focusing on the relationship between water and landscape, and preserves the natural beauty of the site. A saltwater estuary, previously filled between the two islands, is re-introduced in the plan as the physical framework for new urban growth. Waterways ebb and flow through mixed-use neighborhoods, and link to the natural freshwater drainage from the mountains, while smaller neighborhood islands are created that serve to fulfill specific roles, including a multi-modal transportation and shopping center. SWA’s design seamlessly connects water, land, and the larger cultural context of the site to create an ecologically sensitive and aesthetically invigorating island that will serve as an incubator for urban growth throughout the region well into the future.
Long Beach Shoreline
SWA prepared a land use and urban design plan for six miles of waterfront adjacent to downtown Long Beach. Through a series of meetings with local community stakeholders, we were able to determine the different needs of each district in the plan: of critical importance was the need to preserve valuable open space inland, and to maintain an ecological corridor ...
San Diego Embarcadero
The redevelopment plan for the waterfront and port facilities adjacent to downtown San Diego included translating community and economic requirements into a specific planning program. Emphasis was placed on urban design, circulation and parking, landscaping, environmental planning, and engineering considerations with a set of comprehensive implementation guide...
Aquatic Park & Pier Vision Study
The Aquatic Park and Pier Vision Study is a community-led effort examining new possibilities along San Francisco’s northern waterfront. Prompted by the need to replace the disintegrating Aquatic Park Pier — a historic, curvilinear structure that shelters shoreside water for swimmers and boaters — the Vision Study looks beyond the immediate boundaries of the Ma...
Hangzhou Grand Canal
For centuries, the Beijing-Hangzhou’s Grand Canal – a staggering 1,000 linear miles which remain the world’s longest man-made waterway – was a lifeline for commerce and communication. The water’s edge was necessary for trade, a logical place to live, and often a driver of innovation. However, as with many waterfronts globally, it eventually fell victim to the...