Aedas has unveiled the design for the Hangzhou Canal Bay International Tourism and Leisure Complex in Hangzhou, China. This landmark project plays a pivotal role in developing northern Hangzhou, situated in the southern core area of the Grand Canal New City within Gongshu District.
The development will proceed in three phases, with Liu Chenghui, Aedas’ global design director, leading the team to complete the overall conceptual masterplan and deepen the design for the first phase. Drawing inspiration from the site’s unique canal culture, historical heritage, and dockyard industrial legacy, the design aims to create a vibrant international tourism and leisure destination.
The masterplan emphasizes two main north-south corridors: the canal and the harbor. These are connected by an east-west pedestrian corridor that links the first phase’s commercial street, hub park, and joyful harbor, establishing a multi-node public space network while respecting the natural landscape.
Along the canal, a bustling canal street recreates the lively atmosphere of the historic waterfront, inspired by the traditional Jiangnan courtyard layout. Small courtyard spaces establish a pedestrian-friendly waterfront at a comfortable human scale. Hub parks integrate urban green spaces, commercial zones, and rail transit to create layered pedestrian hubs that foster social interaction.
The Happy Harbor area preserves industrial relics such as the Dragon Gate Crane, centering on canal culture. This zone gathers water and land transport hubs, industrial heritage parks, and cultural and creative businesses, crafting an energetic and unique leisure and entertainment destination.
The first phase’s architectural approach blends traditional Jiangnan characteristics with concepts of streets, neighborhoods, and gardens. The design categorizes waterfront streets and inner commercial streets based on visitor dwell time, creating distinct experiences of fast-paced streets, leisurely neighborhoods, and tranquil parks.
The courtyards, themed by the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—are interspersed within vibrant commercial facades. This diversity of building forms breaks up the monotony typical of narrow plots, delivering a lively and engaging shopping environment.
During the design’s early stages, commercial positioning was carefully considered. Retail and landscape nodes were integrated to maximize active commercial frontages while enriching public spaces. The sunken plaza at the entrance and a distinctive cloud platform at the center will offer open leisure areas for the city, with potential for future dining and entertainment venues.
The first phase of the Hangzhou Canal Bay International Tourism and Leisure Complex is scheduled for completion in 2023.
Project Information
Project Name: Hangzhou Canal Bay International Tourism and Leisure Complex
Designer: Aedas
Location: Hangzhou, China
Design Year: 2022
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