New commercial district in Xi'an,
design: Heatherwick Studio
In 2020, British architectural firm Heatherwick Studio took part in a competition to design a new shopping district located south of the historic center of Xi "an, the capital of Shaanxi province in central China. The team presented an approach that differed from traditional approaches used in the design of large shopping complexes. Rather than focusing on building a facility based on glass and steel, Heatherwick Studio created a space that references local traditions, particularly ceramic craftsmanship.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - a bird's eye view of the CCBD district
Photo by Qingyan Zhu © Heatherwick Studio
China 's ancient capital
Xi "an has a population of more than eight million and is notable for its numerous temples, historical monuments and well-preserved city walls. One of the main tourist attractions is the Terracotta Army, a collection of some 8,000 life-size figures made of fired clay, depicting soldiers, officers and horses. The sculptures are housed in the tomb of China's First Qin Emperor. With its numerous archaeological sites and dynamic center, Xi "an is an important point on the tourist map of China.
Cultural and business center in Xi "an, China
Photo by Qingyan Zhu © Heatherwick Studio
In December 2024, a new district opened in Xi "an - the Center Culture Business District (CCBD), which is located on the outskirts of the city. The Heatherwick Studio team took on the challenge of designing a space that aims to transform the periphery into a functional and eye-catching place, combining elements of culture and business.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - a plaza under construction
Photo by Raquel Diniz © Heatherwick Studio
In Xi "an, we had a unique opportunity to design a commercial district that would enrich the city with a unique public space. Instead of the traditional approach of designing separate buildings, paving and planting vegetation, there was an opportunity to create a three-dimensional cityscape on different levels. Such a solution allows the city's residents to walk and meet freely
- says Thomas Heatherwick,
founder of Heatherwick Studio.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - axonometry
© Heatherwick Studio
Integration of modern architecture
with public spaces
The 155,000-square-meter district combines modern architecture with public spaces. A subway line leads to the area, whose interior is characterized by slightly curved forms. The district consists of two building complexes with skyscrapers that surround a central square. The buildings are not clearly separated - the roofs of the commercial podiums, with a stepped structure reaching almost 24 meters, create an impression of integrity, connecting to terraces, gardens and plazas. The structure is supported by columns and curved beams, finished with ceramic tiles, ensuring the coherence of the space.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - plot plan
© Heatherwick Studio
Ginkgo leaf-shaped plaza
As a symbol of longevity
The district's streets converge on a central square whose stone pavement has been laid in the shape of ginkgo leaves. The motif refers to the 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree that grows in the courtyard of Guanyin Temple. The tree is a symbol of longevity, perseverance, hope and peace.
The Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - a view of the Xi "an Tree, a plant structure that serves as a vertical park, under construction
Photo by Raquel Diniz © Heatherwick Studio
The Xi "an Tree: an innovative plant structure
With a panoramic view
The square features the Xi "an Tree, a plant structure that serves as a vertical park. It consists of a branching structure surrounded by dense vegetation, typical of the region. The vegetation is diverse, encompassing many species that occur naturally in the area. Visitors can enjoy 56 floating terraces that overlook cascading gardens mapping the biotopes of the ancient Silk Road - from alpine tundra to steppes. The structure rises 57 meters above ground level, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area, including rooftops, terraces and streets, and the city in the distance.
The Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - a view of the Xi "an Tree in the heart of the district
Photo by Qingyan Zhu © Heatherwick Studio
Continuing our interest in the human perspective in perceiving the space, we were also able to incorporate a number of special design details that helped make the project as engaging and welcoming as possible for people walking through it
- Thomas Heatherwick adds.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - axonometry of the Xi "an Tree elevation.
© Heatherwick Studio
innovative combination of craftsmanship
and modern manufacturing
The team designed the covering of the buildings with ceramic tiles covering a total area of 30,000 square meters. The architects' goal was to create unique tiles that reflect the craftsmanship of Xi "an artisans. Small workshops, though proficient in traditional methods, did not have the resources to produce such large batches. Large manufacturers, on the other hand, were geared up to mass-produce identical pieces. This dilemma sparked a year-and-a-half-long process of testing, collaboration and technology modification.
The Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China - a close-up view of a ceramic detail
Photo by Luis Sacristan © Heatherwick Studio
The designers sought to find a balance between artisanal precision and the demands of large manufacturers, inspiring them to adopt handcrafted methods. The final collection, consisting of more than 100,000 meter-long, curve-embossed tiles, takes diverse forms. The tiles are glazed in three to nine layers to produce natural, dynamic patterns in shades of brown and cream, reminiscent of organic structures.
Cultural and Business Center in Xi "an, China
Photo by Qingyan Zhu © Heatherwick Studio
During China's transition, traditional master craftsmen still use clay molding techniques that are in danger of disappearing. The tiles designed by Heatherwick studio combine elements of ancient craftsmanship with a modern approach to create a unique interpretation of tradition adapted to contemporary architectural needs.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
