Urban planning has been part of the studio from its first year. The studio has led research on the revival of neighbourhoods around Beijing and Shanghai, and works on old-city renovation and open neighbourhood design. Between 2018 and 2019 it won several planning and urban design competitions in China.
Our plans start from what is already on the ground: canals, wetlands, villages, old roads. In Zhao Bei Kou that meant a series of villages of no more than 15,000 people each, linked by roads and green corridors, instead of one new city. In Shanghai it meant 21 kilometres of riverbank turned into a single continuous public walk.
Our principles
Start from the existing
Historic villages, water networks and old axes give each plan its structure. New districts are built around them.
Walkable neighbourhoods
Each district has its own plazas, parks and everyday services, so most daily needs are within walking distance.
Room for water and green
Green belts, canals and small lakes run between the plots. They collect rain in heavy storms and give every neighbourhood open space.
Selected projects
All 19 urbanism projects
Zhao Bei Kou – New City
A former imperial hunting ground and wetland, planned as connected villages around the existing canals.
Tinglin New Community Urban Design
509 hectares in Jinshan for 128,000 people, planned as a sponge city.
21 km River Bank Urban Design
21 km of riverbank rebuilt and lit as one continuous public walk.
Xiong Xian New City
An ancient city south of Beijing, restructured and extended around its natural setting.
Beijing – Urban Development South Axis
Part of the axis that runs from the Forbidden City to Daxing International Airport.
Bingling Village
Rural renewal, deciding building by building what to restore and what to replace.