ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
“ A Banyan tree is not born of its own seeds , but rather it seeds an existing older tree and rebirths it in an elegant and organic new form ,” he explains . “ I thought that that was entirely appropriate for this project that was undergoing a massive transformation .”
REBIRTHING THE ROOTS
Given the site ’ s prominent location as a gateway between the urban city core to the south , and a central park to the north , LMCA endeavored to visually connect the project ’ s front façade to the city ’ s green initiatives . That process extends the flow of green space through a public plaza on the ground level , where beautifully manicured landscaping forms part of an urban green space masterplan designed by Ohtori Consultants Environmental Design Institute .
In keeping with the theme of the city ’ s expanding green philosophy , and the environmental sustainability goals of the China Green Star rating system ( the project has received a 2 out of 3-star rating ), Li Min Ching felt that the Deji Plaza Xuzhou project should reflect its surrounding natural elements in some shape or form . He began to imagine organic shapes and textures that could be architecturally adapted to the project and , in the process , embraced the Banyan tree as an ideological guide . Accordingly , LMCA ’ s new design would draw aesthetic and functional inspiration from the organic forms and actions of the Banyan tree and its complex root system .
“ A Banyan tree is not born of its own seeds , but rather it seeds an existing older tree and rebirths it in an elegant and organic new form ,” he explains . “ I thought that that was entirely appropriate for this project that was undergoing a massive transformation .”
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