Chapman Taylor world-beating masterplanning portfolio
Chapman Taylor has built a strong reputation as world-class masterplanners on development projects across the world, able to create projects of an extraordinary scale from early concept stage right through to full completion. 2018 will be a busy year for the firm, with a host of striking masterplan designs coming to fruition. In this article, we will look at some of those nearly completed schemes and at others due to follow in subsequent years.
Xiong'an New Area, Xiong'an, China
The 272km² Xiong’an New Area is a government-supported urban development project which aims to create a high-quality, efficient and smart city environment which encourages equality and sustainability. Chapman Taylor’s masterplan creates technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable designs for Zangang Cluster and Xiongdong District while enhancing the surrounding environment and protecting historic cultural sites.
Our design used quantitative analysis of the site’s ecological characteristics and proposes the diversion of water to serve the needs of the city as it develops while improving the waterways system and preserving and upgrading the existing water resources. Landscaping will be optimised to create a sponge city solution which combines an urban stormwater management system and a natural water filtration system. The system will replenish underground water reserves and municipal water supplies, with spare water being used at Daqinghe and Baiyangdian.
The project is people-orientated, fully considering the physical and mental wellbeing of people of all ages and levels of ability. The masterplan ensures that everything that people require is provided within 15 minutes’ walking distance from their homes. The spatial layout ensures that educational, commercial, medical, public transportation, cultural and sports facilities are all provided within a walkable distance.
Wenzhou Eastern New Town, Wenzhou, China
World Horticultural EXPO, Łódź, Poland
Chapman Taylor won a major international design competition to create an urban innovation zone on a 6.8 square kilometre site in Chongqing Liangjiang, central China. Liangjiang has been chosen by the Chinese government as a developmental ‘new area’ for Chongqing, which has a population of over 30 million people and is one of China’s four centrally governed municipalities.
The masterplan competition sought designs for an advanced technology research and development district. Chapman Taylor’s winning project is based on the integration of the beautiful natural environment with the technology facilities, and creates a connected series of five university campuses surrounded by R&D clusters.
The masterplan is a fully transit-orientated development and provides railway, metro, BRT, electric bus and water taxi connections throughout the site. Sustainability is embedded in the project, which is planned to be self-sufficient in energy needs – using solar, biomass and hydroelectric power sources, resulting in a saving of over 450,000 tons of CO² per annum.
Global 100, Hainan China
In 2018, the city of Łódź in central Poland was awarded Horticultural EXPO - an international exhibition for greenery and landscaping in urban environments. Chapman Taylor’s masterplan concept represents a step-change for EXPO, with an intensive focus on being ecologically friendly - regenerating, restoring, recycling, repurposing and reusing.
The 80-hectare project is the first of its kind because, whereas all previous World Horticultural EXPO developments were created in remote, undeveloped areas, in Łódź it is located in the heart of the city centre, near the main railway station.
The masterplan’s functions are arranged around four themed zones, including two existing parks, developed in consultation with the city and more than 50 other organisations. In addition, an overall “Nature of Us” theme combines elements of all the others to reflect a modern city that provides employment, facilitates rest and recharging in green surroundings, showcases cultural diversity and provides daily close contact with the environment.
Exhibitors and participants are expected from 43 countries and it is anticipated that 4.5 million visitors will attend EXPO during the six months in which it will be open.
Chapman Taylor was awarded the public tender to create the Łódź EXPO masterplan concept in December 2018, working intensively to complete the innovative design in December 2019. Originally scheduled for 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the Łódź event being rearranged for 2029.
Songzhuang Xiaopu Artists Town
Projects approaching completion
Global 100, Hainan China
Global 100 is a 170 hectare mixed-use, leisure, retail, hospitality and residential scheme in Hainan, in southern China. The theme park component is designed to rival existing globally famous attractions offered by Disney and other entertainment industry leaders. It consists of six themed villages, each influenced by international film-making attractions from China and Europe.
Chapman Taylor developed the masterplan for Global 100, as well as providing the concept and architectural designs for the English and Chinese villages. Phase one of the theme park is due to open in spring 2018.
Dream Island, Moscow, Russia
The redevelopment of the 100 hectares Soviet-era Nagatino Park in central Moscow, Dream Island is designed as the first large-scale leisure destination in Russia, expected to be visited by over four million people annually. In addition to a large indoor amusement park, the river-fronted scheme provides a regional shopping centre, outdoor leisure facilities, an IMAX cinema, a 400-key, 4-star hotel, a 3,500-seat concert hall, a yacht club and many F&B facilities.
Chapman Taylor provided the masterplan and concept design for this project, which is due to complete in 2018. The development is currently being constructed with full support from both the government and the public, with opening scheduled for this year. Dream Island won “Best Leisure Development” at the 2017 European Property Awards.
One Line and Four Mines, West Beijing, China
The "One Line and Four Mines" is an important 99km2 regeneration project across a historic 185km long coal mining route, including 12 linked towns and villages. It is the nearest ecological conservation zone to the city centre of Beijing, just 30km away. As the border between the city and nature, it combines a bustling ambience and great natural beauty.
Our competition-winning masterplan promotes beautiful, regenerated ecology and evokes memories of the traditional coal mining industry. We took our inspiration from the Chinese idea of harmony between man and nature and the benefits this brings to life.
Büyükyalı, Istanbul, Turkey
A residential-led, mixed-use scheme in a spectacular location on the coastline of the Marmara Sea, Büyükyalı is designed as one of Turkey's most sought-after new quarters. The project, conceived as ‘four quarters, one community’, is an attractive and sustainable place to live for families, single people and young couples who wish to enjoy the benefits of Istanbul – including Kazlicesme Sahil Waterfront Park, a stunning new marina and access to the new Zeytinburnu metro line. Büyükyalı provides a broad range of uses and facilities, including 1,500 homes with prime sea views. 15,000m² of public space will incorporate fashion, culture, art, music, kids clubs, a hotel, restaurants and a new marina. A new mosque and school are also being constructed. Hard and soft city spaces are juxtaposed in the masterplan, creating streets, squares, gardens and courtyards.
Chapman Taylor is the principle design architect on this 340,000m² GBA residential development for Ozak-Yenigun-Ziylan Partnership, which is due to complete in 2018/19.
A residential-led, mixed-use scheme in a spectacular location on the coastline of the Marmara Sea, Büyükyalı is designed as one of Turkey's most sought-after new quarters. The project, conceived as ‘four quarters, one community’, is an attractive and sustainable place to live for families, single people and young couples who wish to enjoy the benefits of Istanbul – including Kazlicesme Sahil Waterfront Park, a stunning new marina and access to the new Zeytinburnu metro line. Büyükyalı provides a broad range of uses and facilities, including 1,500 homes with prime sea views. 15,000m² of public space will incorporate fashion, culture, art, music, kids clubs, a hotel, restaurants and a new marina. A new mosque and school are also being constructed. Hard and soft city spaces are juxtaposed in the masterplan, creating streets, squares, gardens and courtyards.
Chapman Taylor is the principle design architect on this 340,000m² GBA residential development for Ozak-Yenigun-Ziylan Partnership, which is due to complete in 2018/19.
Mui Dinh Ecopark, Mui Dinh, Vietnam
Intended as an unrivalled hospitality-led, mixed-use development, this 728 hectare masterplan is inspired by the rich local history of Mui Dinh. Six resort hotels and a boutique hotel provide a total of up to 7,000 rooms, with an additional 500 ocean-facing mountain villas. All the residents will have access to many leisure facilities, including an ecopark, theme park, a casino, a beach club and a mountain clubhouse. The scheme incorporates environmental sustainability in every aspect.
The Vietnamese government has recently approved the urban plan, masterplanned by Chapman Taylor, for Mui Dinh, and construction has begun.
Intended as an unrivalled hospitality-led, mixed-use development, this 728 hectare masterplan is inspired by the rich local history of Mui Dinh. Six resort hotels and a boutique hotel provide a total of up to 7,000 rooms, with an additional 500 ocean-facing mountain villas. All the residents will have access to many leisure facilities, including an ecopark, theme park, a casino, a beach club and a mountain clubhouse. The scheme incorporates environmental sustainability in every aspect.
The Vietnamese government has recently approved the urban plan, masterplanned by Chapman Taylor, for Mui Dinh, and construction has begun.
Liverpool Waters, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Liverpool Waters, Liverpool, United Kingdom
One of Europe’s largest and most important waterside regeneration schemes, Liverpool Waters has been unanimously granted outline planning consent for a 1.7 million m² development by the local council. Envisaged is a world-class, mixed-use waterfront environment which will help Liverpool compete economically with similarly-sized cities such as Hamburg, Barcelona, Boston and Toronto.
Chapman Taylor masterplanned this groundbreaking project, and has continued to be involved in realising several of the plots. The scheme is currently under construction.
MediaCityUK Phase Two, Manchester, UK
The £1 billion, 211,000m², second phase of MediaCityUK gained planning consent in September 2016. Already home to the BBC, ITV, University of Salford and over 250 creative media businesses, MediaCityUK is a major digital media hub, centre of learning and established visitor destination. The Phase Two scheme includes a major residential component, comprising 1,800 private sale and build-to-rent city apartments and town houses. It will also deliver over 55,000m² of additional office space, retail and leisure uses, as well as a sequence of new public spaces.
Chapman Taylor’s role on Phase Two includes the development of the overall masterplan and individual plot briefs, coordinating the work of six other architects on ten plots and also designing three of the buildings, including a 470-unit build-to-rent apartment building with ground floor restaurants surrounding a landscaped court, an 11,000m² BCO ‘Grade A’ office building, and a 1,050-space multi-storey car park, with an office, a live/work space, an energy centre and an LED ‘media wall’.
The £1 billion, 211,000m², second phase of MediaCityUK gained planning consent in September 2016. Already home to the BBC, ITV, University of Salford and over 250 creative media businesses, MediaCityUK is a major digital media hub, centre of learning and established visitor destination. The Phase Two scheme includes a major residential component, comprising 1,800 private sale and build-to-rent city apartments and town houses. It will also deliver over 55,000m² of additional office space, retail and leisure uses, as well as a sequence of new public spaces.
Chapman Taylor’s role on Phase Two includes the development of the overall masterplan and individual plot briefs, coordinating the work of six other architects on ten plots and also designing three of the buildings, including a 470-unit build-to-rent apartment building with ground floor restaurants surrounding a landscaped court, an 11,000m² BCO ‘Grade A’ office building, and a 1,050-space multi-storey car park, with an office, a live/work space, an energy centre and an LED ‘media wall’.
Sa Pa resort, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
Chapman Taylor’s context-sensitive masterplan for the Sa Pa resort in Vietnam’s Lao Cai Province creates a major cultural and ecological tourism destination for northern Vietnam.
The planned development will offer luxury hospitality for travellers in a beautiful hillscape setting, including comfortable resort residences and a wellness centre which draws architectural influence from the local area. It will also provide agricultural and medical research facilities, while a central retail area will offer a market outlet for the local H’Mong hill tribe to display and sell products and food, helping to boost the local economy and showcase local history, traditions and culture.
Coc San urban masterplan, Lao Cai, Vietnam
The Coc San urban masterplan for the expanded city of Lao Cai in Vietnam will provide a modern and sustainable district in a luscious green mountain setting near the border with China.
The masterplan will include residential areas, a logistics centre, a retail boulevard, a cultural park, mountain villas, resort hotels, a commercial, district, a leisure and entertainment centre, a medical treatment centre and new urban farms.
Xuan Khanh Lake ecological tourism and Buddhist spiritualism destination, Son Tay, Vietnam
The new Xuan Khanh Lake ecological tourism and Buddhist spiritualism destination creates a convenient location for weekend relaxation, lakeside living and meditation in nature for visitors from the city and beyond.
Xuan Khanh Lake is located in Son Tay, a provincial town on the outskirts of the Vietnamese capital. Son Tay is known for its thousand-year-old heritage village and a laterite brick temple. Xuan Khanh Lake has recently also become well-known for the discovery of an almost extinct animal – the Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle.
The new resort will comprise several hotel and residential elements, including a luxury eco-hotel, a lakeside resort, a wellness resort, a spiritual retreat and hilltop and “floating” villas.
Yangpu Bay, Hainan, China
Originally salt producers, the Hainan people have a rich history and connection with the land and sea. The coastline of the area is covered with mangroves. We analysed the site and how to protect birdlife and wetlands, proposing an ecological buffer zone. The coastline will become colourful and flood-adapted, with different site elevations to create a high-quality coastal urban form.
There will be five kinds of urban hubs: commercial, residential, research & developmental and ecological. Each hub will introduce green to the city, enhancing the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature and creating valuable public space. We have identified several core buildings including landmarks such as a Free Trade Building and an Entertainment Centre. Cultural buildings include a Community Centre and Innovation & Entrepreneurship Base.
Wuxi Xiyan Lake, China
A world-class city in and around the existing conurbation of Wuxi, in southern Jiangsu province, eastern China. The design aims to maximise the ecological benefits of the waterway culture of the region by promoting interaction between people and nature. The existing main water network dictated the structure of the entire project and it will be fully utilised and respected.
The 1776km long Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the north edge of the site is the largest man-made waterway in the world. It is directly connected to Xiyan Lake at the heart of the site. Through smart water network monitoring and various sponge facilities, the risk of flooding will be minimised and the problem of water pollution solved. Rainwater will be purified and new habitats created. The Xiyan Lake wetland park, Xiyan Lake, will be the green lung of the area while helping restore rainwater during wet/cloudburst days.
Sanya Jiyang area, China
Known as the "Hawaii of the East", Sanya enjoys 209km of coastline and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. With the continuous development of Sanya, it is becoming increasingly important to explore a future expansion that integrates with its unique ecology.
Known as the "Hawaii of the East", Sanya enjoys 209km of coastline and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. With the continuous development of Sanya, it is becoming increasingly important to explore a future expansion that integrates with its unique ecology.
Part of the wider development of the Yangtze River Delta, this 2,930-hectare masterplan provides an integrated mixed-use city embedded with excellent connectivity and defined by a diverse ecological framework, taking advantage of the existing waterways. The concept is inspired by Jiaxing Water Culture, with concentric spreading circles of development rippling outwards.
Among the key provisions for Jiaxing High-Speed Railway New City are cultural, business, civic, retail, leisure, hospitality, residential, educational, industrial, logistics and R&D developments, linked by beautifully landscaped public spaces, waterways and parks. Streets will be ecologically diverse and environmentally sustainable, with vibrant interfaces between the streets and the buildings. There will also be wetlands and urban farms.