Revolutionizing Urban Landscapes: AICO's Sunac Chongqing Dazhulin

Blending Architecture and Nature in a TOD Complex

The Sunac Chongqing Dazhulin, designed by AICO, is a testament to the transformative power of architecture. Inspired by the adjacent canyon park and natural water system, the design concept, termed "Landscape roll," presents a unique blend of architecture and nature. The project's three plots are strategically arranged along the park's boundary, with the architectural form mirroring the city's natural landscape. The buildings resemble high mountains, corridors mimic rivers, streets are crafted as gaps, and lanes take the form of villages.

The project's unique properties lie in its innovative design concept. The "Landscape roll" concept, inspired by the canyon park and natural water system, transforms the urban space into a city-level leisure destination. Pleasure routes and nodes are designed within the canyon park and integrated with the mall, creating a seamless blend of commercial and recreational spaces.

Realizing this design required the application of advanced technologies. Mountain flood prevention technology, ground disaster prevention technology, vertical elevation technology, building grounding technology, physical environment optimization technology, and engineering pipeline technology were all employed. The shopping mall's cloud-top, made of regular hexagonal-shaped aluminum plates, was achieved using steel structure for a light and exaggerated shape.

The project covers a gross floor area of 241,920 sqm, with the retail podium spanning 117,700 sqm. The complex includes six floors of retail above ground and seven apartment towers. The design is marked by its seamless integration with the light rail station, with a connecting corridor on the third floor of the shopping mall linking the outlet of the landing hall and the shopping mall.

The project, which began in October 2019, was based in Chongqing. The design process involved extensive research, including site investigations, city planning studies, understanding local architectural design code requirements, and analyzing the age distribution and consumption demand of residents in the surrounding land.

The design faced several challenges, including the site's distance from the city center, the mountainous terrain, and the division of the base into three plots by urban roads. However, the innovative design strategies employed by AICO successfully overcame these challenges, resulting in a landmark project that revolutionizes urban landscapes.

The Sunac Chongqing Dazhulin project was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to its innovative design and architectural excellence.