A major component of the renovation of Tonghai Avenue in Danzhou, Hainan, China, Danzhou Bay Hub is designed to enhance the quality of local facilities and provide a variety of public spaces for the surrounding communities.
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Danzhou Bay Hub
Public Building (Built)
Firm
DP Architects Pte Ltd
Architect/Designer
DP Architects Pte Ltd
Design Team
DP Architects Pte Ltd
Location
China
Country
Singapore
Photographer/Copyright
©DP Architects Pte Ltd
Located at the junction of Hainan Coastal Scenic Highway and Tonghai Avenue, a site situated near the coastline and facing the Ocean Flower Island, Danzhou Bay Hub serves both the local communities and visitors from other precincts. The existing facilities in the area, including a few fast-food restaurants, a farmer’s market and a deserted commercial street, are inadequate to serve the growing needs of the residents and visitors and their needs for more diverse facilities. Danzhou Bay Hub is envisioned as a neighbourhood centre with diverse facilities, meeting the daily needs of residents and providing unique experiences for visitors.
The development—a shared community space for both residents and visitors—comprises two major open spaces: an open floor on the second floor led by a grand staircase and a plaza covered by an eco-canopy. The open floor provides a 24/7 public space for community interactions, markets, cultural activities and celebrations, while the plaza allows local food vendors to form an authentic food street, offering visitors a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle. Different scales of informal spaces, such as patios designed for seating, relaxation, dining and activities, are also incorporated into the development, with the observation deck on the rooftop serving as a stage for performances, featuring the sea as backdrop.
The architecture is inspired by the natural stacking form of volcanic rocks. Through rotation, stacking, and interlacing, the building volumes create layered and abundant grey spaces. These “transitional zones” between architecture and nature, as well as indoor and outdoor areas, serve as versatile venues for fostering community vitality, and encourage interactions among target groups.
In essence, Danzhou Bay Hub is more than a neighbourhood centre and retrofit of existing facilities. It serves a shared community with vibrant, open and boundless public spaces for both residents and visitors in Danzhou, enabling seamless interaction between the two groups of people and promoting the spread of local culture.