Hangzhou Riverfront Public Space – The Changting Station

TJAD Original Design Studio Transforms the Qiantang Riverfront into a Linear Urban Oasis

Location: Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China Architects: TJAD Original Design Studio Lead Architects: Ming Zhang, Zi Zhang, Bo Chen Completion: 2023 Site Area: 1,718 m² Photography: Yong Zhang, TJAD Original Design Studio

Reimagining the Qiantang Riverfront: A New Urban Pavilion

The Changting Station, designed by TJAD Original Design Studio, is a striking addition to the 12-kilometer public waterfront revitalization project along the Qiantang River in Binjiang District, Hangzhou. More than just a visitor center, this two-story, steel-and-wood structure forms part of a broader urban strategy to reconnect residents with the riverfront through accessible, meaningful public space.

A Modern Interpretation of Historical Rest Stops

Historically, stations—or "ting"—were erected along major routes every five or ten miles, providing travelers with a place to rest or socialize. Drawing from this ancient concept, the Changting Station reinterprets the traditional pavilion as a contemporary urban node.

Spanning a 500-meter service radius, this segment of the riverfront features over ten public service stations equipped with rest areas, public toilets, commercial spaces, and seating. Together, they create a continuous and supportive riverside urban infrastructure.

Expanding Scale and Shaded Urban Life

Unlike earlier riverside projects completed by the same design team—including the Yangpu and Suzhou Riverfronts in Shanghai and the Maozhou River in Shenzhen—this stretch of the Qiantang River features expansive spatial dimensions and limited natural canopy. Due to the embankment's constraints, large trees could not be planted, creating a need for alternative shaded environments.

In response, the design makes inventive use of extended eaves and semi-outdoor space, crafting linear shaded zones that double as social gathering points. This strategy introduces a “long scroll” architectural experience, framing the river through a rhythm of light, structure, and material.

Material Expression and Structural Poetry

The Changting Station measures approximately 100 meters in length and 15 meters in width, with a distinctly horizontal profile that emphasizes the landscape’s flow. The building is conceptually and physically divided into two parts:

• The lower portion is a robust rammed earth box, grounding the architecture and connecting it to vernacular techniques.
• The upper portion is a warm, lightweight volume of timber trusses, constructed using 6m x 6m modular wooden beam units (200mm x 1000mm cross-section), supported by elegant V-shaped steel columns (200mm x 200mm).

The second level is suspended from above using steel tie rods just 35mm in diameter, reducing the need for bulky beams and enhancing openness. The interplay between wood, steel, and earth produces a tactile experience where structural logic and spatial poetry coexist.

Cultural Anchoring and Ecological Integration

Positioned near Xixing Ancient Town, a historical hub at the confluence of the East Zhejiang Canal and the Qiantang River, the Changting Station functions as both a cultural showcase and ecological landmark. The pavilion hosts spaces for local exhibitions, tea rooms, and amenities that honor regional history while serving contemporary needs.

Landscaping with golden-leaf metasequoia and pennisetum grasses echoes the structure's rhythm and natural material palette, enriching the sensory experience throughout the seasons.

Reclaiming the River for the Public

Adjacent to a once-active fishing trade wharf, the Changting Station reconnects residents with their cultural and geographic heritage. Through its linear composition of indoor and outdoor spaces, the project encourages active use, gathering, and reflection—restoring the riverside as a vibrant urban edge.