Overall bird’s-eye view
LYCS Architecture recently unveiled the winning design proposal for the “Continuous Landscape” project at Quzhou Smart New City Complex. Situated in Quzhou High-Speed Railway New City, adjacent to Quzhou Sports Park, this comprehensive office project spans 100,000 square meters. It integrates four key functional zones: a smart service center, a diversified mixed-use space, a technology incubation center, and a big data supercomputing center. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2021, with the Landscape Architecture Design and Research Institute of the China Academy of Art collaborating on the design.
△ Master plan
Micro Cities on a Human Scale
The design’s core concept centers on creating a vibrant urban public space that leverages the strategic location within Quzhou Dayuan’s core area development. By integrating the project’s public attributes with urban planning goals, the design unites four distinct functions into a cohesive platform. It offers a high-level vision of a miniature urban courtyard for Quzhou, blurring the project boundaries and allowing landscape greenery to flow naturally through the site. The buildings are gently nestled within this natural setting, creating a shared “urban courtyard” accessible to all residents and visitors.
△ Street view perspective
△ Inner courtyard view
A Courtyard Sequence with Ever-Changing Scenery
Inspired by the capital city described in the ancient text “Kao Gong Ji: Craftsmen” and the traditional villages of Quzhou, the architectural form creates a scaled-down micro city. While each functional zone operates independently, they are seamlessly integrated into a unified whole. The design deconstructs the building volumes, rotating and connecting them, opening up enclosed spaces to create outdoor areas. The volume transitions harmonize with the site topography, responding to surrounding buildings and the environment. Continuous walkways surround the complex, and ramps at the ground level provide dynamic connections that unify the dispersed buildings into a cohesive entity.
The interconnected ramps create a dynamic spatial journey where the scenery shifts with each step. This design ensures seamless internal connectivity while maximizing natural light, ventilation, and landscape views for every functional area. It forms three distinctive courtyard zones: the Water Courtyard, the Wooden Courtyard, and the Academy. An elevated walkway weaves through these spaces, complementing the sloped roofs and offering multi-level perspectives. This creates an engaging interior environment alongside an external garden-like courtyard, blending connectedness and openness.
△ Night view
△ Inner courtyard
An Undulating Urban Skyline
The design embraces a low-density approach, shaping friendly, small-scale building forms topped with sloping roofs that create a staggered architectural landscape. The continuous undulating roofs unify the complex, evoking a mountain range silhouette that connects with the city skyline along the main urban road. The main entrance opens warmly, inviting visitors in. These flowing rooflines reflect Quzhou’s ecological character and urban spirit.
△ West entrance pedestrian view
△ North entrance pedestrian view
Project Information
Project Name: Quzhou Smart New City Digital Economy Complex
Location: Quzhou, China
Scale: 100,000 square meters
Architectural Design: Zero One City Architecture Firm
Design Team: Ruan Hao, Zhan Yuan, Duan Qin, Yuan Jiani, Zhao Xiaolin, Chen Qingshun, Ma Qingtian, Zheng Sidan
Collaborator: China Academy of Art Landscape Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Timeline: Design completed in 2020; construction planned for 2021–2022
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