Conceived by Zaha Hadid Architects, the 67-hectare mixed-use master plan for a start-up exhibition and conference centre, in Chengdu‘s Unicorn Island will generate living and working environments for Chinese and international companies.
In line with China’s evolving economy and continuous growth towards internet and technology-based organisations, the project creates a “unicorn island” or a hub for the development of start-ups. Located in the Tianfu New Area, south of Chengdu, an ecologically sustainable civic, business and residential center for China’s technology and research sectors, Unicorn Island will be home for 70,000 researchers, office staff, residents and visitors. The project “has been designed to enhance the wellbeing of its community; influenced by principles within the region’s historical natural engineering projects”.
On the other hand, following the “environmental principles of Dujiangyan’s historic irrigation system and Tianfu New Area’s ongoing work to re-establish its natural wetlands”, the master plan’s guidelines define particular concepts that improve the efficiency of the structures and the wellbeing of its inhabitants. As a result, Unicorn Island’s parkland design incorporates green civic spaces, water conservation, and enhanced connectivity to create its living and working environments”.
