2011 Xi’an Horticultural Expo

Flowing Gardens Xi’an Horticultural Exhibition 2011

"Eternal peace & harmony between nature & mankind, nur-turing the future earth - a city for nature, co-existing in peace" (Chinese version: Nature and People in One in Chang'an, Nature Creativity- A Cityfor Nature, Co-existing in Peace)

Designer | Plasma Studio

Project | Xi’an Horticultural Exhibition 2011

Architects | Eva Castro, Holger Kehne, Ulla Hell / Alfredo Ramirez

Collaborator | ARUP

Client | Chang’an Ecological District

Location | Ki’an City, China

Use | Landscape / Cultural

Site Area | 37 Hectares

Building Area | 12,000 square meters

Design Year | 2009

Completion Year | 2011

Design Team | Jorge Ayala, Nicoletta Gerevini, Evan Greenberg, Hossein Kachabi, Nadia Kloster, Steve de Micoli, Flippo Nassetti

CHINA

MONGOLIAKAZAKHSTAN

NEPAL MYANMARYellow Sea

INDIA

Xi’an

Qin Ling

Xi’an

BaqiaoXi’anHuokou

XinzhuzhenCaotan

Silk RoadExcavated Banpo Village

Terra Cotta Army

5,000 BCE 1,000 BCE 500 BCE 1 CE

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5,000 BCE: The neolithic, stable village of Banpo is founded.

2

1046 - 256 BCE: Xi’ an, at the time known as Haojing, was established as the twin capital of the Zhou Dynasty with Fengjing.

3

221-206 BCE: Emperor Qin Shi Huang unites all the states of China and names Xianyang (Just northwest of modern Xi’an) the capital. His Mausoleum was located in Xi’an, most famous for the Terra Cotta Army defending his tomb.

5

4

8-23 CE: During the brief period of the Xin Dynasty, Chang’ an was retained from the Han Dynasty as the capital.

202-8 CE: Renamed Chang’ an, (perpetual peace) the city became the capital of the Han Dynasty and the starting pount of the Silk Road established during this time. This was the largest, overland trading route of the ancient world.

6

191- 195 CE: After moving to Louyang, Chang’ an was reinstated as the capital just before the collapse of the Han Dynasty.

Chang’ an

Haojing Xianyang Chang’ an

Chang’ anChang’ an

Preserved City Wall

500 CE 1,000 CE 1,500 CE 2,000 CE

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313 - 316 CE: Chang’ an was named the capital of the Western Jin Dynasty for a brief period.

8

535 - 581 CE: Chang’ an was named the capital of the Wei Dynasty and then Northen Zhou Dynasty for a brief period.

9

589 - 618 CE: Renamed Daxing (great prosperity) the city was named the capital of the Sui Dynasty for a brief period.

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1368: Named Xi’ an (Western Peace) the city lost all cultural and political relevance remained only commercially relevant due to the Silk Road. The city walls were rebuilt at a massive scale and today stand as the most preserved city walls left in China.

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Today: Has become a haven for archeologists and tourists. Is one of the 13 emerging megalopolises in China, strengthen by several major universities in the area

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618 - 907 CE: Chang’ an was named the capital of the Tang Dynasty. It emerged as one of the biggest, international cities of the time. Became a model for grand, symmetrical cities until it was sacked in 907 CE.

Xi’an

Xi’an along High Speed Rail Route. Emerging Megalopolis

Chang’ an Chang’ an Chang’ anChang’ anDaxing

Northern ZhouNorthern Wei

Chanhe River

Horticultural Expo

Bahe River

100,000 m 3

Before 2003: Due to the lack of an underground sewage water system, about 100,000 cubic meters of industrial effluent and sewage produced by 60 million people flowed into Chanhe River every day, accounting for 20 percent of the river's daily runoff.

Xi’an, Chanpo District

Chanhe River

Horticultural Expo

Bahe River

Before 2003: Bahe River was also turned into a huge sand-dredging site. Villagers exploited the top quality sand for building throughout the area resulting in severe riverbed sinkage. Vast amounts of construction waste were also dumped along the river bank, amounting to nearly 500 million cubic meters.

Xi’an, Chanpo District

2011 Horticultural Expo SiteNational Wetland Park

Before 2003: The Site of the 2011 Horticultural Expo was a large sandpit, where sand from construction and from dredging was dumped for years before the 2003 ecological reform.

Two decades of work have restored the ecosystem housing this expo.

- Xi'an authorities invested 1.3 billion euros in 2003 to restore Chanba's seriously damaged ecosystem.

-25 drainage outlets along Chanhe River were blocked and sewage has been channeled into newly built treatment plants.

- A number of polluting enterprises built along the river have been shut down or suspended.

- Authorities directed river water into sand-dredging pits, which have gradually formed into natural wetlands.

- 533 hectares of trees and grassland were plantedalong the river to help contain the water.

Expo Avenue

HORTICULTURE

EDIBLE PLANTS NON-FOOD EXPERIENTIAL PLANTS

PAST EXPOS

Floriade 2012 World Horticultural Expo, Venlo - The Netherlands 5 April to 7 October 2012

Paris Horticultural Expo 1867

LOGO

= PEOPLE CIVILIZATION, RESPONSIBILITY, REASON

1. 3. FLOWER PETALS

4. SNOW / WATER

2. CITY

Greenhouse

Organization Garden

World Garden

China Garden

Guangyun Entrance

Chang’an Flower valley

Theme Pavilion

Southeast Asian Street

Creativity Park

Group Tour Entrance

Southeast Entrance

West Entrance

European AvenueService Entrance

International Garden

Chang’an Tower

Expo Avenue

SITE PLAN

Greenhouse

Organization Garden

World Garden

China Garden

Guangyun Entrance

Chang’an Flower valley

Theme Pavilion

Southeast Asian Street

Creativity Park

Group Tour Entrance

Southeast Entrance

West Entrance

European AvenueService Entrance

International Garden

Chang’an Tower

Expo Avenue

The design breaks up the symmetrical model of ancient chinese cities by invading the axis with natural elements. This celebrates the union ofman and nature.

GUANGYUN ENTRANCE

- Operates as infrastructure and fulfils the role of bridging the main road that dissects the site.

- Channels visitors from the plaza at the entrance where they congregate and orient them-selves, plotting their direction. Southeast Entrance

Expo Avenue

Morning Evening

In

Out

5000 sqm exhibition hallClad in Bronze by Plasma Studio

landscraper THEME PAVILION

- located on the edge of the lake as the endpoint to the central axis that starts with the Gate Building, and is the starting point for the water crossing by boat.

- Ties in with a series of piers that follow the landscape jutting out into the water.

- Interwoven with the articulating ground, producing continuities on many levels integrating the landscape and building together.

Greenhouse

Organization Garden

World Garden

China Garden

Guangyun Entrance

Chang’an Flower valley

Theme Pavilion

Southeast Asian Street

Creativity Park

Group Tour Entrance

Southeast Entrance

West Entrance

European AvenueService Entrance

International Garden

Chang’an Tower

Expo Avenue

BUILDING LANDWATER

is centrally located and was designed to be integrated with the surrounding water and land terrains

- Showcase new achievements and products in horticulture and floriculture- Environmentally-friendly and energy-saving technologies and materials.- The fluid experience of passing through the landscape continues inside, where all zones are generous and interconnected.

As the host pavilion, the Theme Pavilion is aimed at representing the long profound culture and splendid history of Xi’an. More importantly, the creative design also foreshadows a bright future for this city.

The building is built relatively low so that it doesn't obstruct the natural view

37 Ha landscapeFLOWER VALLEY

Southeast Entrance

Expo Avenue

Greenhouse

Organization Garden

World Garden

China Garden

Guangyun Entrance

Chang’an Flower valley

Theme Pavilion

Southeast Asian Street

Creativity Park

Group Tour Entrance

Southeast Entrance

West Entrance

European AvenueService Entrance

International Garden

Chang’an Tower

Expo Avenue

NAT

URA

LA

RTIF

ICIA

LPE

OPL

E

synergy of waterscapes

Pink Roses

Snap Dragons

238 TYPES

hybrid of both natural and artificial systems

Rainwater is collected and channeled into the wetland areas, where natural plants and reed beds clean and store the water, which is then later dispersed and used for irrigation.

These integrated wetlands and ponds are also to be enjoyed by the visitors as oasis and points of personal tranquility.

Headworks(located throughout)

Park Structures (Pavilion and Green House) Water Collection and Treatment

More complex water cycle issues are sensitively controlled with the introduction of grey and black water treatment systems.

Pump Stations

Primary Sedimentation Secondary Sedimentation

DechlorinationSecondary Reactors

Sludge Digesters

To Further Treatment

Water runoff cleaned and collected in ponds and dispersed through gardens

Water runoff collected from structures and treated

Dispersed after treatment

Thinkeners

SecondarySludge

Primary Sludge

Gravity Thikeners

gravel lining to aid in water dispersmentand irrigation

flower beds comprisedif 238 different speciesof flowers from aroundthe globe

steel and wood railingsto keep pedestrians fromentering / trampling flower beds

LED change-lite pathways illumination

sprinkler irrigation system

concrete paving blocksaid in directing water flowoff walking areas

CHANG’AN TOWER 13 Story Steel and Glass Pagoda

- Provides those who climb to the top a panoramic view of the whole site.

- Blends the traditional square pagodas of the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907) with a contemporary vision.

- Light-weight, steel-frame construction is recyclable and environmentally friendly, while the safety glass on the roof creates the effect of a crystal rising in the mountains.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda Built about 652 CE during the Tang Dynasty.

Small Wild Goose Pagoda built between 707 and 709 CE during the Tang Dynasty.

Chang’an Tower. Built in 2011 to be a new landmarkfor Xi’an, the capital of the Shaanxi province.

Buddhism was introduced to China in the 1st century by travelers along the Silk Road. Being that Xi’an was the starting point of the route, the cities history of Buddhist Pagoda’s is rich.

GREENHOUSE 4000 sqm greenhouse

“The Greenhouse has a crystal-like, glass enclosure folded into a hillside. Inside, a horseshoe plan takes viewers through three climate zones encircling an outdoor courtyard.”

N

Circulation Routes

Entrance

Arctic ClimatePlanting Zone

Rare PlantPlanting Zone

Tropical ClimatePlanting Zone

Desert ClimatePlanting Zone

Two paths bisecting the courtyard lead up over the greenhouse roof, turning indoor circulation into outdoor walkways and further mingling building and landscape.

N

Building Entrance

N

Arctic Climate Planting Zone

N

Rare Plant Planting Zone

The various climatic zones are located specifically where more or less thermal insulation occurs.

N

Tropical Climate Planting Zone

N

Desert Climate Planting Zone

N

Courtyard

The first environment encountered by visitors is the ‘arctic zone’, sitting relatively low inside the ground for thermal insulation to keep the space cooler.

N

Arctic Climate Planting Zone

Arctic ClimateTropical Climate

Morning

Visitors walk up to the highest point in the building, where they enter into the ‘tropical zone’, fully exposed to sunlight at the southeastern side of the hillside facing the lake. N

Tropical Climate Planting Zone

Arctic Climate

Tropical Climate

Evening

EXHIBITIONS

ECO-PLANE

The Eco-Plane explores how a minimal architectural feature can be utilized as an index of the delicate changes in topography and complex issues of interaction between the lake, plant life, and visitors to the park.

Garden exhibit by Columbia University Students

- The Eco-Plane focuses on the edge condition between water and land.

- Exaggerates the ecological tension at this edge condition to provide a territory that supports and encourages maximum biodiversity.

- Monitors and reveals the effects of subtle fluctuations in the water level and provides an always-changing experience for visitors.

Original Topography Modify Topography to diversify environment

Introduce inhabitable surface

Tilt surface to interact with water.

Project surface to ground

Section C

Section B

Section A

A

B

C

Mound Plants

Mound Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh PlantsMarsh Plants

Marsh Plants Marsh Plants

Water Plants

Mound Plants

Mound Plants

Mound Plants

Water Plants

Water Plants

Water PlantsMarsh Plants

Marsh Plants Marsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh PlantsMarsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Marsh Plants

Aquatic Cani

Marsh Plants

Mound Plants

Water Plants

Yellow Iris Iris Scirpus Typha

Gorgon Yellow Lin Lotus Lily Large Drift

Hibiscus Hyperium Kim Dwarf Plum Dwarf Willow

GARDEN OF 10,000 BRIDGES

“The Garden of 10,000 Bridges represents the human life; the path of people’s lifetime, which is a route of uncertainty and burden, but also of highlights and elation. The garden design takes you on this walk of life as a meandering, winding trail – continuous and like a labyrinth. It lets you find your way through nature and takes you over 10,000 bridges.”

Garden exhibit by Dutch Firm West 8

Plan of Exhibit

BIG DIG GARDEN Garden exhibit by German Firm Topotek1

The firm decided to explore what it would be like if people decided to dig a giant tunnel that leads all the way to China. To evoke visions of distant lands and places the team added light audio of “cows from the pampas of the Argentinas, commuters rushing among transit through New York City, the maritime life of Stockholm, and layers of history so audible among the streets of Berlin.”

Section through Exhibit Plan of Exhibit

THE MAZE GARDEN

The Garden is designed under the theme ‘the harmonious co-existence of nature and the city’. The garden is composed mainly of only four elements: traditional grey brick walls and paving, willow trees, mirrors, and bronze bells. “Each of these enhance the sense of discovery and anxiety, as if being lost in a city and forest simultaneously.”

Garden exhibit by Martha Schwartz Partners

Plan of Exhibit

BOTANIST GARDEN

The Botanist Garden is only a circular structure with a small garden core. It is designed to exhibit rare species of Chinese Plants. The thick ceramic enclosure creates a thermal insulation and thus a cooler, more humid environment apparently suitable for the species which inhabit it.

Garden exhibit by Eelco Hooftman

living fossil of cupresssaceae

metasequoia Highlands of Tibet Flowers

Meconopsis punicea

Garden

Ceramic Tile Thermal Enclosure

Cool, Humid Air

Legacy Plan

LEGACY PLAN

“The Expo opened in the spring of 2011 and welcomed more than 16 million visitors before it closed in the fall of 2011. The Expo park will remain as a new contemporary addition to the Xi’an region. The particularities of this legacy plan are currently underway. ”

- Aidan Flaherty, Lead Designer -

http://www.archdaily.com/tag/xian-international-horticultural-expo-2011/

1. http://plusmood.com/2009/06/xi%e2%80%99an-horticultural-exhibition-2011-plasma-studio/

2. http://www.chinahighlights.com/horticultural-expo-2011/

3. http://www.e-architect.co.uk/china/xian_world_fair_2011.htm

4. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/Building_types_study/parkspublic/2011/Flowing-Gardens.asp

5. http://www.cits.net/china-guide/cities/xianexpo/theme.html

6.

7. http://www.archdaily.com/207751/interview-plasma-studio-on-xi%e2%80%99an-international-horticultural-expo/

8. http://www.archdaily.com/126952/xian-international-horticultural-expo-2011/

9. http://www.groundlab.org/

10. www.plasmastudio.com/

11. http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2011-07/01/content_12818324.htm

12. http://www.wetwonder.org/en/news_show.asp?id=605

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