Shanghai Westbund Central Parcel F, sited next to Xuhui Waterfront Park, takes inspiration from Guangqi Xu (1562–1633), the district’s most significant historic figure, whose contributions to agricultural studies became the foundation for the mixed-use commercial development. As the site’s economic context shifted over time, the design evolved. While the terraced rice field at the project’s core remained constant, surrounding areas matured from a general shopping district into a high-end retail street. SWA’s landscape adapted alongside the client’s changing vision without losing its original agricultural narrative.
The design had to resolve a complex transition zone, linking the commercial center to adjacent office and residential parcels while negotiating spatial relationships with the established Xuhui Waterfront Park. Traditional agricultural forms were translated into a contemporary landscape vocabulary, requiring close coordination among a team of architects, landscape architects, an art installation consultant, and multiple layers of client and government stakeholders.
Curved stone paving required water-jet cutting at scale, and the terrace’s curved retaining wall was engineered to house an integrated water feature. To achieve an immediate sense of maturity, rice was pre-grown off-site at agricultural research facilities before planting—ensuring the field read as established from opening day.
Williams Square
For decades, Williams Square has been the walkable “living room” for Irving, Texas’s Las Colinas community. The plaza’s iconic bronze mustang sculptures, designed by artist Robert Glen, are among the state’s most iconic landscape features, speaking to the state’s identity and history.
SWA’s engagement with the plaza is longstanding, dating back to the 1...
OCT Bao’an Waterfront Cultural Park
Bao’an Waterfront Park is an essential amenity for future residents of Shenzhen’s rapidly expanding Qianhai area, and is also an important connection between the urban fabric and the ocean. The key landscape frameworks for the park are its riverine interpretation aspects and water’s edge programs. The “Eco River” will bring water experiences into the green spa...
Guangzhou Vanke Center
Guangzhou Vanke Center incorporates commercial, and office uses in an urban setting. To echo the “cascading” concept of the architectural design, the landscape architecture was inspired by the fluidity of water, as well as the unique local cultural heritage of dragon boats. The design provides for different types of social activity with variously scaled spaces...
Hunter's Point Shipyard and Candlestick Point
Perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay, the Hunters Point Shipyard was an important naval manufacturing center for the WWI and WWII war efforts. The abandoned shipyard and Candlestick Point were combined into a new, mixed-use residential, retail and light industry development—the largest in San Francisco since WWII. Thomas Balsley Associates collaborated wit...