Hangzhou Xiaohe Park

Design Team：Kengo Kuma & Associates
Size：51000 m²   
Location：Hangzhou, China

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Feature：
Project - Kengo Kuma's Hangzhou Xiaohe Park Reinvigorates Industrial Heritage：Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has transformed an abandoned oil factory site along the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, China into a lively public park that pays homage to the area's industrial past. The 51,000-square-metre Xiaohe Park deftly weaves new interventions with preserved historical elements, creating a rich tapestry of old and new. The standout feature is the sprawling ETFE canopy that gently drapes over the entire site, unifying the park with a gossamer, tree-like veil. Mimicking the dappled light filtering through leaves, the canopy's customized dot-printed pattern casts a soft, diffuse glow. This ephemeral cover connects the repurposed warehouses and oil tanks that have been transformed into event spaces, shops, and a sunken garden. Kuma's light touch is evident in his minimal interventions that retain the gritty, industrial essence. The original exposed concrete and red bricks are complemented by Corten steel accents, celebrating the site's heritage. Strategic openings in the canopy allow vegetation to punch through, further blurring the lines between industrial relic and natural oasis. With Xiaohe Park, Kuma presents a sensitive example of adaptive reuse that breathes new life into disused infrastructure while preserving tangible links to the past. The translucent canopy hovers like a protective aura, making this rejuvenated area a beacon along the historic Grand Canal.

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Design Team - Founded in 1990 by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA) has established itself as a global leader in thoughtful, context-driven design. With a team of highly skilled professionals across offices in Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, and Shanghai, the firm has completed innovative projects in over 40 countries, seamlessly blending architecture with the natural environment. Kuma's design philosophy emphasizes a deep connection to place, using natural materials and sensitive interventions to craft buildings that elevate the human experience while respecting local cultures and ecologies. From large-scale cultural institutions to intimate residential retreats, KKAA's portfolio showcases a mastery of scale and typology, united by a commitment to sustainability and an innate understanding of how architecture can foster meaningful relationships between people and their surroundings. With Kuma at the helm, KKAA continues to push the boundaries of contemporary architecture, integrating innovative technologies and traditional craftsmanship to realize visionary designs that redefine the role of the built environment. As the firm enters its fourth decade, its reputation for excellence and innovation continues to grow, solidifying its position as a global leader in the field.