A new green development master planned by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has received city approvals in Wuxi, China. The firm recently presented city officials the plan for Jingui Li, a mixed-use neighborhood being developed by SPG Land. Construction for the project, which will comprise 770,000 square meters, will begin in 2011.
Jingui Li is a major component of Taihu New City, the district that is fast becoming a new center for Wuxi. A city of more than 4 million people in southeast China, Wuxi is known for its burgeoning economy. Envisioned as a model for sustainable, livable cities, Jingui Li will be primarily residential, with an emphasis on outdoor public spaces. Six distinct neighborhoods will offer living options ranging from low-rise buildings along canals to high-rise towers with park views.
Pelli Clarke Pelli was also selected to design the development’s key elements: the signature 60-story hotel tower that will be the focal point of the skyline; a retail center with a lushly planted 4.5-hectare rooftop garden with walking paths and fine dining; the pedestrian bridge from the retail building to Jingui Park; and the Ellipse, a six-building residential and clubhouse complex.
Sustainability will be a design priority. More than 90 percent of the 27-hectare site will remain open green space and there will be an extensive storm water management program. In addition, all buildings will incorporate high-performance technology.
City officials, including Mayor Xiaoping Mao and General Secretary of the City Government Fengfeng Wu, support the plan’s vision of cosmopolitan and diverse neighborhoods. The Mayor has also expressed his enthusiasm for the development’s sustainable attributes.
Founded in 1977 and led by Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, and Rafael Pelli, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the world’s most recognizable buildings, including the World Financial Center in New York, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong. The firm’s work in China includes Shanghai IFC and the Beijing World Financial Center. Additional projects are being designed for Shanghai, Tianjin, and Wuhan. The firm has been honored with critical acclaim and hundreds of design awards, including the American Institute of Architects’ Firm Award and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.