Superimpose was invited for the tender of a 70,000 sqm extension to a mixed-use R&D masterplan for a Net-Zero Industrial Park. The site is located approximately 21 km west of the Chinese city of Ordos in Inner Mongolia. The proposed development is composed of R&D facilities, conference center, hotel, exhibition space, and retail buildings. The clean and pragmatic design takes inspiration from the client's goal helping to transform a renowned coal producing region into a clean energy region with a leading net-zero industrial system.
Due to the complex function mix and the vast scale of the project, Superimpose focussed on connectivity and introducing human scale and green to the project. The masterplan is composed using two important design strategies tying the 500-meter-long development together.
The first strategy used is the introduction of a ‘green axis’: An external - partly covered - corridor connecting the individual buildings and functions together from East to West. The axis is flanked with regional plants and has a small canal in the center that leads to two water features at both ends. It allows for the surrounding green to connect to the heart of the site. Centrally located in the masterplan, and on the North-side of the central axis, a circle-shaped business hotel and a conference center are the most iconic buildings of the scheme. On the south side of the green axis, commercial functions are grouped together as a retail zone.
The second important strategy used to tie the project together is the implementation of a large ‘canopy’ measuring 200 by 500 meter. Due to the sloping nature of the site, the canopy simultaneously naturally acts as a network of elevated walkways. As such it allows for uninterrupted pedestrian circulation to connect all program together. Tactically placed viewing platforms on these walkways provide views to the surrounding grass lands.