ZHA Selected to Design Jinghe New City Culture & Art Centre

Jinghe New City in China's Shaanxi province is emerging as a hub for science and technology. The city is being developed to focus on new energy and materials, artificial intelligence, and aerospace. The development is supported by new scientific research institutes and driven by environmental considerations.

The Jinghe New City Culture & Art Centre is located within the Jinghe Bay Academician Science & Technology Innovation district of the city. The centre is designed to intertwine with the city’s existing urban masterplan, linking the new multimedia library to the north of Jinghe Avenue with the new performing arts theatre, multi-function halls, studios and exhibition galleries to the south.

The design defines a sequence of interior and exterior cultural and recreational spaces for the community. The multimedia library’s terraces overlook its full-height atrium, with diffusing skylights to provide a variety of public reading zones for individual and collective research. The library will integrate print publications with immersive virtual reality technologies that expand the boundaries of learning and enrich the exchange of knowledge.

The performing arts theatre can accommodate 450 people and can be adapted for many types of events. The multi-function hall, studios, and galleries are stacked and arranged around the theatre to share public areas designed to enhance accessibility and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The centre weaves through the city, linking its commercial and residential districts with the parks and river to the south, while also bringing the city’s residents into the heart of the building and providing direct access to the planned metro station. The design is organized as a series of flowing volumes, layers and surfaces interconnecting with courtyards and landscapes.

Solar irradiation analysis and responsive site planning optimize the centre’s use of natural ventilation and daylight in the mild temperate climate of Jinghe New City. The centre’s construction will prioritize locally-produced materials with a high recycled content to achieve a 3-star certification in China’s Green Building program. The incorporation of photovoltaic panels for on-site power generation, together with rainwater collection, is also part of the sustainable design.

In conclusion, the Jinghe New City Culture & Art Centre is a significant development in the emerging science and technology hub of Jinghe New City. The centre is designed to intertwine with the existing urban master plan, creating a sequence of interior and exterior cultural and recreational spaces for the community. Sustainability is a crucial element of the design, with a focus on locally-produced materials, natural ventilation, and on-site power generation.