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 for stormwater management along the shoreline. The resulting plan, endorsed by the California Coastal Commission, proposed improved road circulation, a continuous pedestrian boardwalk, marina and commercial development, and a 50-acre shoreline park. In addition to recommendations related to building density and height restrictions to preserve view corridors, SWA proposed several strategies for improving access to the coast from different points within the city. Specifically, we proposed a major new pedestrian spine linking downtown to the bay with provisions for new high-density office and residential development. Following approval of the plan, SWA was hired to perform more detailed studies of downtown development in support of the new convention center arena, performing arts center, Hyatt Regency hotel, and the Shoreline Village. The important recommendations made by SWA are still evident today in the distinct qualities of Long Beach’s downtown and shoreline neighborhoods.
Ningbo East New Town Civic Plaza
As an extension of the Ningbo East New Town Government Center, this civic plaza extends the geometry and ecology of SWA’s past work in the city. A central civic axis runs from the government buildings to the Dongqian Lake edge, providing a large, flexible gathering/event space adjacent to an expansive lawn as well as sweeping views of the water. Per city plann...
OCT Bay
Located in Shenzhen, OCT Bay has a combined site area of approximately 1.25 square kilometers including equal parts new urban center and nature preserve. SWA provided both master planning and landscape architectural services for the entire site. As a new urban cultural and entertainment destination, OCT Bay provides urban amenities, entertainment components, p...
San Pedro Waterfront Connectivity Plan
Spanning over 460 acres and 8 linear miles of waterfront, the Port of Los Angeles is among the most important pieces of infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere—the largest container port in the U.S., a linchpin for global logistics, and an industrial hub critical to San Pedro and L.A. County at large.
Today, the Port is imagining a more connective, acc...
Embankment Square
The Embankment Square is located along the east bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. The project consists of landscape areas in three office parcels and one waterfront park parcel. The view of the site is remarkable, looking toward the landmark skyscrapers of Lujiazui Financial Center, Nanpu Bridge, the Bund, and the Minsheng CBD.
The design concept c...