Positioned along the Pearl River, Yuzhu’s landscape is shaped by the layered forces of geography, history, and industrial memory. The Yuzhu Riverfront Mixed-Use Development is organized along a north–south framework: a vibrant commercial and retail core anchors the waterfront, while the southern district is defined by ecological richness and a high-quality residential environment oriented around health, activity, and sustainability.
A defining diagonal axis cuts through the northern parcel as a direct reference to Yuzhu’s former port identity, reconnecting the waterfront as a civic stage and drawing movement into the heart of the development. Along this spine, four thematic plazas anchor the sequence, linked by a system of weathering steel lighting elements that begin as a continuous linear band and gradually dissolve into individual nodes. The progression mirrors the site’s own evolution: from a singular industrial economy to a layered and diverse urban future. Integrated with the paving design, this sequence also functions as a clear, intuitive wayfinding system throughout the district.
In the residential parcel, the landscape shifts in character, adopting an organic matrix of flowing, layered spaces that balance energy and calm. Inclusive in program and generous in scale, these environments are designed to serve all ages and draw residents into an active, connected community life.
La Plaza Cultura Village
Located within El Pueblo, the birthplace of Los Angeles, La Plaza Cultura Village is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development totaling 425,000 square feet of retail, apartments (20 percent of which are low income units), cultural facilities, and public open space. Two large, surface parking lots have been transformed into a vibrant community that builds upon ...
Kingold Century Centre
This new mixed-use development features a complex program that includes a hotel, rental space for other companies, eateries, service apartments, and retail facilities. SWA’s design challenge was to create a common space that can be enjoyed by the disparate users on-site at any given time. A common plaza includes multiple restaurants on a terraced platform that...
Chase Center Entertainment District
Chase Center, the new Golden State Warriors’ arena, anchors and enlivens San Francisco’s emerging Sports and Entertainment District. Integrated along a transit corridor within a formerly industrial part of the city, this new 24/7 facility offers a venue for events of many scales as well as a central public open space that doubles as the neighborhood’s outdoor ...
Kaohsiung Waterfront Renovation
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....