NanchangWaves is a community center in China’s Jiangxi province that includes aspiraling observation tower. Offering a 360-degree overview, the tower invitesguest to enjoy the full experience of the neighbourhood that represents theblueprint for future living and the new spirit of the city of Nanchang.Nanchang Waves derives its design concept from the surrounding waterscapes. Theobservation tower and surrounding public realm creates versatile and welcomingspaces that enhance and connect the urban context to the natural landscape ofthe region.

Meantto serve as a bustling, multi-functional community hub for local residents, thedesign consists of three distinct zones—a unique spatial experience where thebuilding and landscape blend together—corresponding with different naturalelements: water (the front public plaza), earth (the commercial/retail spaces),and sky (the observation tower).

Thelandscape design of the public plaza is integrated with the ancient waterculture of Nanchang and the landscape of the adjacent Elephant Lake. Each ofthe landscape nodes contain functions for people of different ages and provideinteresting and memorable experiences.

Thesite’s commercial and retail zone has an accessible rooftop, designed as acontinuation of the surrounding terrain. The landscape of the front squareextends above a variety of public spaces and through a slowly unfolding outdooramphitheater. The retail and commercial functions are visually linked to theneighboring open-air plaza.

Theexperience culminates with a dramatic observation tower that serves as acontemporary landmark for the city and emphasises Nanchang’s historic traditionof towers. We designed the double spiral staircase as an experiential journeyto the observation platform above. From the observation deck, people can get anunparalleled view of the natural landscape of the nearby wetlands, admire thecity skyline in the distance, and experience the changing landscape at sunriseand sunset.

NanchangWaves is a community center in China’s Jiangxi province that includes aspiraling observation tower. Offering a 360-degree overview, the tower invitesguest to enjoy the full experience of the neighbourhood that represents theblueprint for future living and the new spirit of the city of Nanchang.Nanchang Waves derives its design concept from the surrounding waterscapes. Theobservation tower and surrounding public realm creates versatile and welcomingspaces that enhance and connect the urban context to the natural landscape ofthe region.

Meantto serve as a bustling, multi-functional community hub for local residents, thedesign consists of three distinct zones—a unique spatial experience where thebuilding and landscape blend together—corresponding with different naturalelements: water (the front public plaza), earth (the commercial/retail spaces),and sky (the observation tower).

Thelandscape design of the public plaza is integrated with the ancient waterculture of Nanchang and the landscape of the adjacent Elephant Lake. Each ofthe landscape nodes contain functions for people of different ages and provideinteresting and memorable experiences.

Thesite’s commercial and retail zone has an accessible rooftop, designed as acontinuation of the surrounding terrain. The landscape of the front squareextends above a variety of public spaces and through a slowly unfolding outdooramphitheater. The retail and commercial functions are visually linked to theneighboring open-air plaza.

Theexperience culminates with a dramatic observation tower that serves as acontemporary landmark for the city and emphasises Nanchang’s historic traditionof towers. We designed the double spiral staircase as an experiential journeyto the observation platform above. From the observation deck, people can get anunparalleled view of the natural landscape of the nearby wetlands, admire thecity skyline in the distance, and experience the changing landscape at sunriseand sunset.