▲Malevich and suprematism

▲Bird’s-eye view of master plan | reality image

This project’s land lot is located in the north portal of Xixian grand axis and in the core node area of the Xixian New District and the future economic growth belt. It represents new image of Xixian grand axis and is the demonstrator and pioneer of promoting innovative urban development.

In this project, we abandoned the traditional tour mode featuring monotone property demonstration zone and discarded a series of real estate terms such as spiritual fortress and gatehouse. Instead, we built open public space for arts exhibition with multiple tour routes. It represents the highland of humanities and arts, carries possibilities of diversified life and becomes the highlight in the Xixian New District. It’s the arts center in Xi’an to which Greenland Group has attached great importance.

Xi’an, the capital city of six dynasties, is undergoing changes of the times. It broke the traditional layout enclosed by defensive walls and established new order of urban development.

We explore cultural underflow of this ancient city which has a long history, feel the modern “tension” showed in its layout and endow this site with new functions. Spirit of Malevich’s suprematism is transformed into pure, dynamic urban public landscape with tension.

▲Design concept

Design absorbs Malevich’s art theory, absorbing Malevich’s art theory and considering integration of architectures and landscape, the design applies the element of dynamic geometry of suprematism to display changes of graphic and vertical place, enlivens the site with order and tension of the modern times, and offers varied experience brought by rich paths.

▲Spatial translation

Malevich believed that the city is flattening. The space is divided by the simplest flows of sidewalks and car lanes to connect the city and buildings. Based on site memory and city structure, place making forms a distinct and organized layout of its own by integrating small space with diversified elements. The making of small space highlights ingenuity and makes use of altitude difference, which has created a physical environment that offers different experience through varied space organizations.

▲Plan of concept phase

▲Plan of scheme phase

The design aims to spur interaction between city dwellers and the site and to create a “framed picture” within the floating space by dividing transportation and pedestrian zones, thus forming a unique construction style that will be remembered by all:

Crowds form dynamic landscape -- they either be attracted, or stay for a while, or walk, or sit idly, or talk. It harmonizes the static arts park and becomes a hue in the city. Besides, the site provides an open public place where neighbors could sit and talk, children could have fun and people who pass by can have a rest.

▲Functional structure Analysis diagram

On the premise of ensuring integration of site and surrounding environment as well as smooth ground flows, the design uses geometric graphics to organize large and small place. Vastness, clearness and strength of large space form a “field” that integrates surrounding elements into an organic whole. Small space offers tourist a place to experience rich and diversified culture. Contrast of large space and small space brings a strong sense of unification and strengthens the visual impact.

▲Temporal entrance for pedestrians in demonstration period | bird’s-eye view | reality image

Single is the motif and pure is the element, but the richness of the space is not debilitated at all. Surrounding the sod is a gravel stair, which not only shows the usage of the element of boundary, but also increases the possibilities and methods of how to use the space. Walking paths are paved, arbors are planted and shrubberies form triangular matrixes. All these elements together constitute a wonderful landscape, bringing unlimited potential to the creation of innovative space effects when using geometric graphics in architectural design.

▲Sculpture park and activity center+bird’s-eye view reality image

Application of triangles and broken lines makes the design modern and free and improves practicality of this area.

▲Bird’s-eye view of city “weaved” by artistic plants | reality image

The appeal for more care is expressed in the design and core feeling could continue to exist because of involvement by people. While respecting the order of site and nature, integration and transition of art offer a brand-new and immersive experience. Integration enhances fun of spontaneous participation and interactive activities. Its combination with sculptures, stainless steel covers and reflection of landscape formed by mirror-like water surface will bring joy and surprise to people.

▲Bird’s-eye view of misty stone matrix square | reality image

In the center of the sculpture park is a 9-meter-diameter circle formed by stainless steel tubes. In the center of the circle is a fountain. Tiny water drops form a curtain of mist floating on the gravel ground, unveiling the veil of prehistoric mystery. Although the design is simple, it brings various landscape experience for citizens. Besides, the landscape varies with the changing of time, the weather and seasons, thus making the fountain a medium to observe the change of nature and the universe.

▲Misty stone matrix square | rendering

▲Misty stone matrix square | reality image

In addition to catching people’s eyeballs through fantastic creativity, shining lights in the evening make the square an eco-friendly place for citizens in the neighborhood to catch up with each other in the evening.

▲Misty stone matrix square | reality image

The sculpture park not only satisfies citizens’ yearning for green lands, but also embodies integration of cultural sculptures into nature. It brings the works of world renowned artist to the city and the people, and subtly nurtures people’s sentiment and cultivates their tastes when they are relaxing and enjoying the beautiful landscape. This is the charm of the sculpture park. Apart from providing a unique environment for people to experience modern arts, it also intensifies connect between city and ecology, heals the city and reshapes the genius loci of the public artistic landscape.

▲Rhombus-shape tree matrix square | reality image

▲Rhombus-shape tree ma square | reality imag

This park transcends people’s conventional recognition of typical sculpture park as it’s now full of vitality and equipped with art facilities for interactive activities. In the center of the park is an exhibition hall, where arts exhibitions and negotiations are held under its overhung roof. There is a plaza between the exhibition hall and the sculpture park, which is not only the pivot, but also a place with the most artistic appeal. Opening to city dwellers, the plaza, modern and chic, has an abstract kinetic sculpture powered by wind at the central axis to promote interaction of public space elements. The sculpture is designed to pay a tribute to American sculptor Alexander Calder.

▲Celebration square | kinetic sculpture powered by wind | rendering

▲Celebration square | kinetic sculpture powered by wind | reality image. The sculpture conveys fantasy of microscopic universe: space, light and air currents are inter-coordinated. People can capture the flow of time by observing the movement of the sculpture.

The exhibition hall, a main building inside the park, is integrated into the landscape. In front of the hall is a pool. Design defines the linear order of the entire land plot. The hall provides a platform to overlook the park thanks to its interlaced design. Glass of the hall and mirror-like water surface reflect the surrounding environment. When the sun sets, the building is enveloped in the golden sunshine and pink cloud, presenting a fascinating picture. When night falls, the hall becomes the lighthouse for the city and the park as well as the beacon for roads.

▲Exhibition hall and mirror-like water landscape | rendering

▲Mirror-like water landscape | reality image

Texture of the building is reflected on the surface of still water. Light adds a mysterious color to the building

Layers of sidewalks traverse the park and the scenery varies as you walk. Along the path people can see the entrance of the building. On its ground floor, columns erect in twos and threes, sparsely or densely, just like the changing of rhythms. Light penetrates through the columns, casting changing light and shadow on the ground.

▲Building entrance | reality image

At the end of the sidewalk, an outdoor relaxing platform is hanging slightly above the water to ensure that the view is not obscured. The black bottom makes the shallow pool seem to be bottomless, and is in sharp contrast with the pure white building. At night, dreamlike colorful lights will add a mysterious color to the building.

▲Mirror-like water landscape | reality image

Black bottom makes the shallow pool seem to be bottomless

▲Grey overhang of the building | reality image

An outdoor relaxing platform is hanging slightly above the water to ensure that the view is not obscured

Out of the exhibition hall is a garden. Every place here is reminding us of the subtle feeling that has disappeared in this fast-paced era. Time slows down here and we seem to have enough time to appreciate an art painting, a courtyard and a sculpture.

▲Art corridor | rendering | painting on the wall is one of Malevich’s suprematism series

▲Arts corridor | reality image

▲Arts corridor | rendering

▲The sculpture is designed to pay a tribute to Henry Spencer Moore. Conversation between human and nature

▲Arts corridor | reality image

The public open space, which is the stage and living room of the city, brings vitality and color to the city, offers possibilities of having a diversified life and provides citizens a harbor to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Being a gift to arts, the exhibition park of the International Finance Center demonstrates arts experience in the modern and contemporary era. Arts are not confined to the wall of museums, but are attempting to connect with ecology and city, enlightening people to have new comprehension of arts, ecology and city.