Phase 2 of Chengdu Tianfu Luhu Food Island

The project is located in Chengdu Tianfu New Area with a total area of approximately 9700 square meters. It is situated in the pre-island area of Luxe Island, adjacent to the newly built tourist center of Luxe Island, and it is an extension and upgrade of the first phase of Tianfu Food Island, a complex dining and entertainment destination. ▲ Aerial night view of the project location The project site is positioned in the inner bay area, facing the lake. It acts as a crucial connection between the main island and the pre-island area. The terrain is complex and the available space is limited, which presents challenges in accommodating various functional requirements such as outdoor commercial operation areas, public activity spaces, tourist routes within the scenic area, logistics and fire safety, and parking. The goal is to achieve a well-organized and rational layout of these diverse functions within the constrained space ▲ Aerial view of the project site From the ridge of the site to the lakeside, there is a height difference of approximately 12 meters, spanning a width of about 100 meters. In close proximity to the first phase of the food island, there is a colossal rock wall and high-rise buildings have been constructed at elevated levels. These factors posed significant challenges during the initial planning and implementation stages. After numerous planning attempts in collaboration with architectural professionals, a spatial framework was established, allowing landscape professionals to address the aforementioned coordination issues. One major challenge involved maximizing the land utilization. This required reinforcing the rock wall between the first and second phases with protective wall piles, as well as excavating the mountain in the second phase. Due to the limited land area, the excavation created a fire and logistics passage beneath the protective wall piles, while forming a natural slope for the business area of the first phase. The excavated protective wall piles were utilized by spacing them out and installing advertising boards for commercial and event announcements, taking operational requirements into consideration. ▲ Formation of the retaining pile wall ▲ Completed retaining pile wall Another challenge was to meet the demand for lakeside observation points while also serving as a passageway for visitors to enter the Laoke Isle scenic area after visiting the first phase of the food island. Extensive discussions were held on how to balance the public and commercial aspects. Finally, a decision was made to establish a clear and concise visitor pathway leading to the entrance of the scenic area. The architectural formats were separated, and a combined indoor-outdoor space was created for commercial activities. ▲ Main visitor route in the scenic area Furthermore, an important axis of the project extends directly from a high point to the lakeshore. During the initial planning stage, comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine the optimal site conditions. Ultimately, the limited space was utilized, focusing on the functional requirements, to create a distinct axis landscape that descends from a high point, passes through narrow passages, and eventually spreads out into a geometric layout in the lakeside area. This design enhances the experience of varying width brought by the height difference and achieves a balance between functionality and form. This significant vertical passage connects the elevated road and the lakeside area of the first phase. Within the highly restricted architectural planning conditions, concentrated pedestrian step lines connect the main stores on both sides, creating a friendly environment for commercial interaction. ▲ Connection between the central axis and the dormant spaces ▲ Interaction between the central axis and the retail spaces As people descend the stairs, the flow of people converges with the front plaza of the main retail stores, creating a place for conversation and pause, which enhances the understanding of the core spaces of the project. From the passage in the main retail store to the lakeside, the owner has set up art installations, creating a powerful thematic symbol for the entire bay area and passage, which has also become a frame for sightseeing itself. ▲ Central axis staircase area as a social gathering place ▲ Top-down view of the central axis ▲ Aerial view of the lakeside area during events In the vicinity of the lakeside, a contrasting and distinct natural retreat is formed in comparison to the first phase. With clear and concise geometric lines, the space is divided into distinct retreat areas. This lakeside area holds particular value. Therefore, during the initial planning stage, efforts were made to maximize the utilization of lakeside resources in the inner bay area. Through multiple discussions and considering the needs of businesses, tourists, and the scenic area, the lakeside water area was allocated to public spaces while accommodating commercial activities. The design also integrated the block and theme activity spaces of the scenic area, creating a multi-functional space for daily outdoor operations and maximizing the utilization of landscape resources. ▲ Daily lakeside outdoor display area ▲ Balancing public interaction for tourists ▲ Relationship between the passage and the lakeside outdoor display area The project adheres to the principle of low-cost construction, with an emphasis on low technology and strict engineering control concerning material and implementation requirements. Thus, a large number of flexible and textured materials were utilized as the basis for creating a spatial atmosphere. Planting and water features were also incorporated to establish an ambiance within the functional spaces. The goal was to create a destination that offers a diverse and comfortable leisure experience for visitors. ▲ Water feature along the central axis ▲ Night view of the scenic area passage ▲ Plaza at the main entrance of the scenic area connected by the dormant spaces ▲ Project floor plan