The Pearl River Delta has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past four decades, evolving from farmland to a global manufacturing and technology powerhouse. Amid the frenetic pulse of this sprawling megalopolis of 86 million people, Sanshan Hillside Park stands as a mountaintop oasis.
Envisioned as New Town’s Central Park, the design embraces the very infrastructure that defines the region’s growth by utilizing Sanshan Mountain’s existing topography and ecosystem to create thematic zones. A wilderness belt encircles the mountain, protecting sensitive natural slopes, while a web of trails provides access to park amenities, including a library, café, elevated canopy walk, and water gardens. The space beneath the high-speed rail bridge has been reclaimed as a public fitness area, and a hilltop observation deck offering visitors the unique experience of “train spotting.” Clever landscaping and strategic vegetation placement mitigate transportation noise.
Aligning with “Sponge City” guidelines, pond drainage swales and rain gardens improve water quality and reduce flood risk. The “Resiliency Edge” connects the park to urban neighborhoods through a system of lakes, waterways, and seasonal rain gardens, doubling as drainage infrastructure.
The park’s commitment to preservation, reuse, and enriching cultural spaces provides a refuge where health and wellness are prioritized. Here, visitors can truly appreciate sweeping views of the region while enjoying a respite from urban life.
Mason Park Bridge
Mason Park, located at the confluence of two bayous, has served as an urban oasis since 1928. Despite a century of improvements to amenities, user access was significantly compromised by the wide expanse of Brays Bayou, which bisected the 104-acre green space into distinct northern and southern sections. Adjacent road and rail infrastructure further exacerbate...
Changchun Tractor Factory Renovation
Once-industrial site re-imagined as a commercial complex with eye-catching public spaces.
For this site, which was once an industrial tractor factory that epitomized Changchun’s thriving industrial past, SWA provided conceptual design through implementation to transform the former of Changchun Tractor Factory into an eye-catching public realm that fulfi...
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...
Pacific Plaza
The latest step in the renaissance of Downtown Dallas has arrived with Pacific Plaza, a 3.89-acre public park that serves the central business district’s burgeoning population and contributes substantially to the city’s outdoor experience. The first of an ambitious four-park initiative, Pacific Plaza complements adjacent urban greenspace with a varied program ...