Beijing Xingfa Cement Plant Quarry, founded in early 1990s, an exposed scar of rocks locates between the Great Wall and Yanqi Lake, is being reconsidered into an ecological and picturesque rural park in relationship with the adjacent regenerating cement plant. Established around the contextural culture, research, and technology oriented position, the design focuses on bringing in potentiality of hosting acceptable scale of outdoor culture and art events. With a sunken water space and an elevated rock space, the park stretches itself between silence of meditation and excitement of otherworldness. Carefully considered cliff stabilization, rock reuse, industrial acessory reuse, water collection, and planting species strategies allow the park to become an incubator of ecology, culture, and art, inversing a history of negative intervention towards landscape to a rebirth and return of liveness towards land and its belonged culture in general.
As the initial phase of the project, a hiking trail with the associated driveways was first constructed to establish initial image of the project. Reused quarry rocks and carefully considered natural water management methods portrayed a highly ecological integrated landscape. A top hill pavilion introduces phenomenal views, setting a solidity of industrial memory with corten steels, and strengthened design languages.
Freedom Park Master Plan
Despite Freedom Park’s rich history as a site of protest in late 20th-century Atlanta, proximity to vibrant destinations, and vast, bucolic open space, the site has suffered from indistinct identity, unclear boundaries, unsafe pedestrian crossings, low biodiversity, limited placemaking, and minimal programming. SWA’s master plan ushers a new era in ...
Peanut Plaza
One of the most dangerous intersections at the gateway into downtown Washington DC was targeted for significant improvement. Prompted by the demolition of a Wendy’s restaurant and new road alignments to ease traffic congestion, SWA/Balsley was hired to create a memorable new gateway experience and usable, inviting parks in the newly acquired public land. The t...
Bensonhurst Park
Bensonhurst Park is part of the larger Shore Parkway, an 816.1-acre collection of parks that stretches across Brooklyn and Queens. Today, the site provides a series of pathways, passive seating areas, recreational fields and a playground.
SWA/Balsley created a master plan for the redesign of the north end of the park and final design and construction doc...
Panyu Central Park
Panyu Central Park breaks the boundary of the traditional gated community and promotes sharing of open space among residents and visitors. This neighborhood development is the hub for a dense urban community, raising its visibility and value and setting a high standard for open space in the area. The park provides welcoming activity space for all ages with its...