Major Urban Regeneration Win in Foshan China

BDP has been appointed as masterplanner, and designer for all of the main buildings, in a major urban regeneration project in the Sanshui district in the heart of the city of Foshan.

Foshan, in the south of China, is one of the cities which has been identified for major expansion by the Chinese government.

Once again, following shortly on from the Nanjing Medical University building won by BDP last month, the decision of the international design competition judges was unanimously in favour of BDP.

BDP will masterplan the new Cultural and Administration Centre for Sanshui and design the new cultural centre, library city archive, senior university, medical research building, laboratories, city exhibition hall and civic offices. 
Sanshui means three rivers; these mark the historical beginnings of the district and are represented in the new masterplan proposals by three principal routes linking and organising movement between the sites – a leisure river, a formal river, and an ecology river. Inspiration has been taken from nature, Sanshui’s relationship with water and its renowned water lilies.

BDP has approached the design of the masterplan and the new buildings with the aim of delivering excellent learning and research environments, stunning performance venues and galleries and stimulating office environments, which reflect the rich culture of Sanshui.

The buildings create sustainable new special places responding to the climatic conditions; they are fully integrated into a new landscape incorporating the features and natural topography of the elevated site and expansive waterfront location.

Stephen Gillham, director of architecture in BDP’s Manchester studio, stated “this is a significant win for BDP in China.  It demonstrates our combined interdisciplinary strengths, creating exceptional new places for people. This development will have clarity and permeability and will provide a recognisable symbol for the whole district.”

BDP will work with the Sanshui Sanjiu Redevelopment Office to achieve the vision for the Sanshui public and civic quarter.