SWA, in association with Morphosis Architecture and CHNW, developed a vision for the future of Kaohsiung Harbor Wharfs, which includes 114 hectares of prime waterfront property formerly used for cargo shipping. The site, located in the shipping heart of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was historically subjected to environmental neglect and rampant uncontrolled development. A shift in thinking towards economic growth and environmental consciousness inspired the Kaohsiung Renovation Project Competition. SWA’s urban design proposal provides the city with major public amenities based on sustainable planning practices, innovative programming and adaptive reuse of existing structures. The concept employs creative financial and physical design strategies that look at reconnecting the old neighborhoods with the new waterfront plan. The wharfs are designed with goals of biodiversity, brownfield remediation, and the re-creation of historic mangrove habitat. By combining notions of nature and culture, the design fosters a new sensibility in planning. The cohesive design intends for Kaohsiung to have the opportunity to expand program elements along the waterfront such as outdoor dining, shopping, and tourist activities, and provides an environment for the people of Kaohsiung to connect with and enjoy their city.
La Via
Embracing the legacy of Scottsdale and re-imagining its development possibilities, La Via is positioned as a village of the future that looks beyond simple mixed-use functionality. By aggregating innovation-centric businesses, artists-in-residence, and a rich network of open spaces, La Via will engender unique associations and collaborations that will propel N...
Nantong Waterfront
A prominent riverfront city in Jiangsu Province, Nantong has long been shaped by its proximity to the Yangtze River, Hao River, Tonglv Canal, and Rengang River. The establishment of Nantong Port in 1904 and subsequent wharf construction drove decades of industrial growth, but as shipping operations shifted downstream to deeper waters, older docks in this area ...
RIT Global Village and Global Plaza
Global Village, a pedestrian-only infill neighborhood adjacent to Rochester Institute of Technology’s academic core, and its mixed-use centerpiece, Global Plaza, create a social heart for 17,200 students and 3,600 faculty and staff. The landscape architects and architects collaborated on an urban design that establishes multiple “crossroads” ...
Huamao Center
Huamao Center adds a major civic destination to the edge of Suzhou’s old town. Occupying 23.5 acres along the historic Shantang Canal, the project layers retail, office, and hospitality space into a human-scaled district rooted in the area’s history of water-based commerce, known for its classic Jiangnan water-town architectural style, with narrow lanes and st...