The Taizhou Yunhu Mixed-Use development stands at the heart of the city’s newest innovation district, overlooking the peaceful waters of Yunhu Lake. Designed for the Taizhou Urban Development Department, the 150,000-square-meter masterplan serves as the pilot project for a new community where culture, technology, and landscape come together. Featuring five towers—four for offices and one hotel—connected by a dynamic retail podium, the development acts as a powerful architectural bridge linking Taizhou’s past, present, and future.
A Vision Shaped by Culture and Innovation
The design concept, called “Innovation Bridge,” reflects Taizhou’s long cultural connection to rivers, canals, and the artistry of traditional bridges. The project also draws inspiration from the striking vertical peaks found in classical Chinese landscape paintings. These references combine to create a design language that is both rooted in heritage and oriented toward the future.
To reinforce this vision, we used AI-assisted design tools to reinterpret Taizhou’s geography—bridges, waterways, and mountains—into a contemporary architectural form. The result is a high-tech district shaped by green terraces, elevated pathways, and sculptural towers rising like peaks along the edge of Yunhu Lake.
One Bridge, Three Plots
The masterplan is organized across three connected plots tied together through an elevated retail podium, creating a continuous public experience:
- Plot 1 – Bridge Origin: High-tech offices supported by street-level retail and F&B.
- Plot 2 – Bridge Core: Smart offices and community-oriented commercial spaces.
- Plot 3 – Bridge Peak: A lakeside hotel and serviced apartments offering panoramic views.
The podium acts as the primary connector—an architectural “bridge body” carrying visitors across all three plots. A network of walkways, terraces, and viewing platforms creates a vibrant sequence of public spaces that enhance life and activity throughout the site.
Architectural Language: Peaks and Bridges
The towers and podium form a sculptural ensemble inspired by the surrounding landscape. The towers rise like mountain peaks, softened by green terraces and outdoor platforms that bring vegetation up the façade. The podium, shaped by flowing lines and bridge-like geometries, anchors the development at street level and connects seamlessly to the elevated circulation above.
This architectural expression gives the district a unified identity, blending natural inspiration with an urban sensibility.
Green Technology and Smart Urbanism
Sustainability is central to the project’s vision. The development incorporates:
- Passive ventilation strategies
- Solar energy integration
- Rainwater harvesting and reuse
- Green roofs and terraces to reduce heat gain
These systems help reduce energy consumption, optimize comfort, and ensure long-term resilience—aligning Taizhou’s ambition to become a model of future-focused sustainable development.
Culture, Community, and Urban Life
The Taizhou Yunhu Mixed-Use development is designed to be more than a cluster of buildings—it is conceived as a cultural and social bridge. Elevated platforms encourage movement across the site, while the podium hosts retail, F&B, and cultural programs that bring activity throughout the day and night. The hotel along the water’s edge introduces a civic landmark that welcomes visitors to experience the district’s lakeside setting.
By linking culture, landscape, and innovation, the project becomes a symbol of Taizhou’s new urban identity.
