Architectural Design of Nanjing Constitution Park & Urban Living Room at Green Expo Park by azLa

The Nanjing Constitution Park, designed by the acclaimed architectural firm azLa, stands as a monumental public cultural landmark that embodies China’s commitment to constitutional governance and the spirit of the rule of law. Located within the vibrant Green Expo Park along the Yangtze River in Nanjing, this park is more than just a recreational space—it is a profound cultural symbol, an educational hub, and a dynamic urban living room designed for public engagement, reflection, and celebration of constitutional principles.

Project Background and Significance

The Constitution is the foundational legal framework guiding the governance and rule of law in China. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, and under the leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, there has been a reinforced emphasis on upholding the Constitution and integrating constitutional education into daily civic life. The Nanjing Constitution Park is a strategic response to these national priorities, serving as an innovative platform to promote constitutional awareness, education, and public participation.

Commissioned by the Nanjing Municipal People's Congress and supported by urban planning authorities, the park was designed to fill a crucial void—Nanjing previously lacked a dedicated, fully functional space for constitutional advocacy and education. The park’s construction began on December 4, 2021, coinciding with National Constitution Day, and it was officially opened to the public exactly one year later.

Site Selection and Urban Integration

The park is situated strategically in the Green Expo Park area, west of the Jiangsu Grand Theatre, stretching along the Jiajiang section of the Yangtze River waterfront. Covering over 64,530 square meters, with a Phase I built-up area of 31,162 square meters, the park harmoniously integrates into the larger urban fabric.

This location was selected for its high public accessibility, scenic riverfront views, and proximity to key cultural and transportation nodes, including the under-construction Metro Line 9 Riverside Park Station. This urban positioning transforms the site into a cultural living room for Nanjing, fostering connections between nature, law, education, and daily urban life.

Design Philosophy: The “Three Combinations”

The design approach is centered on three key integrations:

1. Legal Culture and Natural Environment: Situated along the Yangtze River, the park reflects Nanjing’s rich historical ties with the river, enhancing urban ecological civilization. The park exemplifies how legal culture can coexist and flourish in harmony with nature, creating a vibrant riverside cultural zone.
2. Legal Education and Livelihood Activities: With convenient access and extensive public amenities, the park invites citizens to engage in leisure, sports, and cultural activities, while subtly embedding constitutional education. This fosters a relaxed yet meaningful environment where learning about the rule of law becomes part of everyday life.
3. Legal Landscape and Current Urban Landscape: The design respects the existing layout of Green Expo Park, leveraging its superior infrastructure and ecological resources without drastic alterations. Constitutional elements are artfully integrated into the natural landscape, producing a unique, lively public space that symbolizes the rule of law within an ecological urban setting.

Architectural Highlights

• Spatial Symbolism: The park’s spatial composition draws on traditional Chinese philosophy, combining square and circular forms representing “earth” and “sky” respectively. This geometry conveys ideas of purity, integrity, and harmony, resonating with the Constitution’s supreme status.
• Constitutional Exhibition Hall: The centerpiece is a grand circular exhibition hall with a 100-meter diameter encircling a square constitutional plaza. This plaza hosts key civic ceremonies such as constitutional oaths and youth coming-of-age rituals, reinforcing the park’s educational and ceremonial functions.
• Digit Metaphors: The design cleverly incorporates numerology tied to constitutional history—such as 82 meters reflecting the 1982 Constitution, and 54 referencing the 1954 Constitution—embedding these symbolic numbers into building dimensions, flag counts, and relief wall heights, enriching the park’s narrative depth.
• Light and Materiality: The facade utilizes modern materials like light-transmitting concrete and stainless steel paving, enhanced by a sophisticated LED lighting system. At night, the illuminated “red lantern” shaped facade and glowing pathways evoke the spirit of the Constitution and “Red China,” creating a visually compelling nighttime identity.

Urban Living Room in Green Expo Park

This park is a vital part of Nanjing’s “Charming Riverfront 2035” initiative, which envisions nine urban living rooms along the river. The Green Expo Park Urban Living Room integrates cultural, recreational, and ecological resources, anchored by the Constitution Park, creating a vibrant hub that meets diverse public needs.

With seamless connectivity to the Jiangsu Grand Theatre and Metro Line 9, this urban living room enhances public engagement by offering spaces for education, innovation, exhibitions, sightseeing, and leisure, strengthening the cultural fabric of Hexi New City and the wider Nanjing metropolitan area.

Landscape and Cultural Axis

Nanjing’s Hexi New City features a 3-kilometer-long Cultural and Sports Axis connecting key landmarks like the Olympic Sports Centre, Jiangsu Grand Theatre, and Green Expo Park. Constitution Park is a pivotal node on this axis, enhancing the cultural vitality and ecological richness of the riverfront.

Surrounded by lush ginkgo trees, hanging bell trees, and colorful foliage, the landscape design emphasizes ceremonial gravitas and public accessibility. Open lawns and recreational spaces promote democratic openness and active community life, making the park a lively symbol of constitutional spirit and public democracy.

The Nanjing Constitution Park and Urban Living Room at Green Expo Park, designed by azLa, is a pioneering example of how architecture can embody governance values, civic education, and urban vitality. Through its innovative spatial language, symbolic forms, and seamless integration with nature and urban context, it stands as a monumental testament to the rule of law and a new cultural landmark for Nanjing.