Shunde Joy Marina
The stunning 5.5 hectare Shunde Joy Marina, completed in 2021, links the natural and built environment with a ‘mineral’ theme.
Location Shunde, China | Client Guangdong Shunde Oversea Town Industrial Development | Architects Laguarda Low Architects | Size 5.5 hectares | Status Completed 2021 | Tags Public Realm and Infrastructure, Mixed Use and Residential, Climate Change, Culture and Art
The landscape design of the residential and commercial development links the city and the active waterfront for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
MSP used the idea of geological cracking to unify the elements of the marina. The paving is patterned in geometric shapes similar to the surrounding structures, linking the elements within the thematic framework. The paving units are scaled up and down, from smaller intimate spaces to expansive plazas.
The paving pattern also gives form to a series of stormwater gardens that collect and filter urban runoff. They provide lush vegetation which softens the edge of the city and provides an acoustic and visual buffer from the road.
At the main entrances, sculptural stainless-steel rocks serve as wayfinding elements and contemporary interpretations of the traditional Chinese arch (paifang) gateways to the palm tree avenues which connect to the waterfront. Metal lattice pavilions along the avenues provide areas of shade.
At the waterfront, the paving culminates in a plaza with faceted seating elements, sculptural lattice shade structures, and outdoor dining platforms. Timber terraces lead down to a water plaza on the waterway, promoting an intimate relationship with the water’s edge. A stage, positioned at the apex of this space, is visible from multiple surrounding promontory spaces for audience members to enjoy performances.
In February 2023, the project was named as a finalist in the MIPIM awards for ‘Best Urban Regeneration’.
Once a traditional agricultural county, the Shunde district has become one of the most affluent counties in Guangdong and mainland China. Situated in the fertile Pearl River Delta, the economy was once dominated by agriculture, fisheries and silk farming. After reforms which started in 1978, the people of this area were given full control over their geographical position and culture. This has allowed Shunde to develop into a modern industrial center for the production of commodities such as electric appliances and automobiles within a recently opened technology center. The city of Shunde also joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as the city of gastronomy, making it an attractive and dynamic tourism destination.
We recognised the environmental challenges of achieving a balance between industry and the local ecology, which contributes directly to the economic viability of the region. Therefore we developed a specific plant palette of native plant species to anticipate impacts from industry, as well as to create a series of sponge parks along the waterfront to address seasonal and periodic flooding. The design approach unites the natural realm with the built realm.
The project required MSP’s large-scale coordination of contractors, including traffic, civil, structural and marine engineering, infrastructure planning, and larger transportation needs assessment.
