Winner of international design competition for Suzhou North Station TOD mixed-use development in China

Urban development aiming to "integrate stations and towns" at key transportation hubs where economic growth is expected

The planned site, Suzhou North Station, is a high-speed rail station in the north of Suzhou city, and is a transportation hub where five subway lines are concentrated. It is a 25-minute high-speed rail ride from Shanghai Hongqiao Station, and occupies an important position in the "Yangtze River Delta" between Suzhou, Shanghai and Hangzhou, in an area where future urban development is expected.
Here, with the development goal of "integrating the station and the town," we proposed a "3 layers x 3 networks + 1 system" concept that harmonizes with the station and the surrounding environment and creates a people-centered urban development of the future.

Sustainable urban development through "3 layers x 3 networks + 1 system"

The "three layers" refer to the three functions required of a city: 1) lively public spaces, 2) relaxation spaces that blend in with nature, and 3) transportation and other infrastructure that supports the city's functions.
The "three networks" refer to the three traffic routes: ① air, ② ground, and ③ underground.
And "1 System" is a program for the sustainable development of the city.
"Intermediate areas" will be set up at the intersections of each layer and network, and by organically combining these spaces, we will connect people with each other, the city with the environment, and the city with the station, creating a town where people gather and develop.
Additionally, in front of each subway station, distinctive spatial elements extracted from Suzhou's traditional urban landscape - town, city, corridor, garden and temple - will be placed. The new landscape, uses and functions created in each town will strengthen the connection with the surrounding development, and the pedestrian-only passageway "Zhongtong Avenue" connecting them from east to west will enhance the unity of the station and the town.

A station with a design theme of people and the environment, and an urban landscape that is organically connected to it

Our winning proposal places a parabolic high-rise building in a way that welcomes the rich natural environment, centered on the "Hanxiu Lake" that spreads out to the north of the development area. The skyline creates an urban landscape with the station at its center, with the entire city spreading out like a cone. The lower floors, which are reminiscent of the traditional rooftop buildings and lakeside ripples of Suzhou, a city of water towns, are three-dimensionally designed to connect to the gentle curves of the tower, which has the motifs of "people" and "enter," creating an organic landscape that harmonizes with nature while expressing that the city is centered on people's lives and activities. The slits in each tower function as common spaces for the offices. The design also takes the environment into consideration, introducing a green environment with outdoor terraces and ensuring natural vertical ventilation.

■ Related News Release: Mitsubishi Jisho Design 's urban development project in China

Posted on July 10, 2023:
Aiming for a "Super Mix" with the station as the hub, towards new urban development
Winner of the competition for urban design of the core industrial headquarters area of Qianjiang New Town, Hangzhou, China
https://www.mjd.co.jp/news/58006/