Shine Estuary: A Dance of Architecture and Nature

Qiyue Architects' Community Center Design Inspired by Oujiang River

The Shine Estuary is a unique architectural masterpiece located in the Oujiang New District of Wenzhou, an area still in its early stages of development. The design was inspired by the fishing boats passing by on the Oujiang River and the ripples they create. The architect introduced soft and light curves into the design, bringing dynamism to the rigid and orderly building. The concept of three offset ellipsoid blocks superimposed upon each other was thus developed, creating a shared space where the three shapes connect, linking up the entire building.

The building boasts a full view of the river and unlimited potential. The relationship between the architectural space and its visitors is always changing. The building mass extends through various spatial rhythms and possibilities, preparing the space for even more prospects in the future. The twisting shape of the building partners up with the ripples of the river, and together, they dance along the wind.

The architect reproduces the natural riverside scenery through the use of modern and simple silvery white tones. Large areas of ultra-white glass bring out the naturalness and pureness of the building. The unity of architectural details, spatial relationships, function, and aesthetics was heavily taken into account throughout the design process. To cover up the black glue-seam of the ultra-white glass, a metal rod 80mm wide is used, functioning also as markers for future lighting placements.

Technical specifications were meticulously considered to ensure good spatial circulation. The maximum column width was set to 11 meters, and panels of ultra-white glass as large as 2 x 6.15m were used to introduce change into the façade and provide a better view of the river. The curved light strip embedded in the aluminum panel in the exterior gray area moves the space from “darkness” towards “light,” becoming a part of the architectural identity.

Through reinterpreting the Oujiang river-life culture, the architect inserts abstract and elegant curved motifs into the design of the community center. This creates a cohesive architectural form and a community area that injects the vitality of future life into all the interacting spaces. By implanting the modern design concept of “form follows function,” meeting rooms and such are placed on the third floor with the best view of the river, better showcasing the landscape resources of the project.

The Shine Estuary project began in March 2020 and was completed in July in Wenzhou, China. Since its opening, the project has become a spiritual landmark dancing with the wind, drawing in a large number of tourists. As the architect initially expected, the creation of a warm community has aroused a new passion for the future. The project has revived the area and guided Oujiang New District to a better tomorrow. The design was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.