Dianshan Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Shanghai and is the starting point of the iconic Hangpu River. While Dianshan Lake is typically associated geographically with Shanghai, located on the lake’s northern shore is Dianshan Lake Town in Kunshan. This distinct shore of Dianshan Lake offers a strong source of identity for Dianshan Lake Town and offers an exceptional opportunity for a landmark destination. This project proposes the creation of the North Shore Park at Dianshan Lake, to be developed in two phases. The park will bring identity to the northern shore of the lake and Dianshan Lake Town. The parks will honor this shore and the canal town’s connection to the water.
PLANNING Two axis, creating four quadrants, bring structure to the planning organization of Dianshan Lake Town. As a starting point for the park design Meyer + Silberberg identifi ed the lower quadrant of Dianshan Lake Town as the Water Quadrant, celebrating the rich tapestry of canals, irrigation channels and lake water that defi nes the spirit of this landscape.
Circulation, landscape corridors, landscape destinations and land use were thoughtfully planned to create a master planning framework for future development that insured successful landscape connectivity.
Overall Conceptual Approach
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Although the primary source of Shanghai’s drinking water, the water of Dianshan Lake contains a number of pollutants that compromise its quality. The park is an opportunity to integrate ecological technologies that simultaneously function to cleanse the lake and canal water and bring an exciting new design vocabulary to the park’s landscape. A broad range of strategies for water cleansing are implemented including water oxygenation features, fl oating bioremediation gardens and wetlands. Phase I focuses on the water quality of lake, while Phase II looks to redefi ne the currently stagnant inland canal system.
The design for Phase I establishes an enduring design approach for a landmark waterfront park and transforms an engineered shoreline into a rich social and ecological destination. Three distinct zones were identifi ed to structure the narrative of the park experience: Near the Water, Along the Water and In the Water. The park dramatically takes visitors out into the water along lyrically sculpted Eco Islands and a Pier. The Canal Gardens, a 30 acre inland parcel, will support a range of activities and cultural gardens that celebrate the unique landscape heritage of Kunshan. A promenade links together the park’s destinations and serves as the dominant spine of circulation.
The most signifcant feature of Phase II, the Garden of a Thousand Waters will create a narrative journey that artistically redefi nes the canal landscape that dominates the region. Nestled in a meadow of wildfl owers and grasses, a meandering canal links together 8 expressive water features. Unlike the traditional canals found in the region which primarily serve to irrigate the agricultural fi elds, this new canal typology has ecological purpose, celebrates the many phenomenological expressions of water and creates a civic destination for leisure and recreation.
