Located at the Western base of Baiyun Mountain, this mixed-use center captures the landmark peak’s influence on the site. In contrast to a modern architectural facade, the fluid and organic landscape suggests the erosion of the preexisting baserock by the adjacent creek. Stone is the main landscape material, and CNC technology is used to accomplish the organic shape. An 18-meter droplet sculpture and undulating ripple surface reflect the transparent swimming pool that cantilevers out from the 100-meter above-ground roof garden.
The existing grade difference between the adjacent park and the site allow the west dining area to perch overlooking the park. Special concrete technology has been introduced for the site’s sculptures, bridges, and furniture to highlight the client’s specialty in decorative concrete.
Gubei Gold Street
SWA was selected to conceptualize, design, and realize a rare find in bustling Shanghai—a pedestrian mall (Gold Street). The corridor occupies three city blocks, is flanked by 20-story high-rise residential towers with retail at street level and book-ended by SWA-designed parks. Creating an iconic presence and enlivening the area, the mall features plazas, fou...
Avenida Houston
For many visitors, the George R. Brown Convention Center serves as Downtown Houston’s gateway. Ahead of hosting the Super Bowl, city officials sought to transform the convention center’s uninspiring eight-lane drop-off into a pedestrian plaza for civic enrichment, art, and leisure. SWA took on this ambitious 140,000-square-foot redesign, converting five city b...
Uptown Commons
SWA was tasked with creating a neighborhood gathering space and exterior dining hall that is an exercise in contradictions — open and welcoming, while able to be walled off. By blending urban planning, landscape architecture, interior design, and architecture with an understanding of retail real estate, the team was able to quickly establish development yields...
Bay Street Plaza
The new owner of Bay Street brought on SWA to reimagine this three-block retail street within the 18-acre Downtown Emeryville retail district. The new plaza and enhanced streetscape create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly community hub to attract visitors, restaurants, and upmarket tenants.
The redesign encom...