3. Existing Work and Design Approach
3.1. Flower Ocean Gardens
1) The detailed plan for the Flower Ocean Garden has been completed by Chris Blandford Associates and Chetwoods Architects.
Figure 5. Artist’s rendition of the “Flower Ocean - Huayan Township” project. The Flower Ocean Garden situated in the south simulates the shape and structure of a tree leaf.
2) The project will be one of the world’s largest flower theme parks on 80 ha of land, with a great number of interesting displays and innovative features. Figures 6 - 9 and captions thereof give the key information concerning the Park.
3) While a major tourist destination in its own right, the Flower Ocean Garden is also a conjoint of MOLEWA/Huayan Township, so that the visitor will receive a multi-layered experience through the enjoyment and celebration of flowers and world architecture.
4) The Flower Ocean Garden will be a paid tourist destination, whereas MOLEWA will be for free public viewing and access. A segregation strategy using canals will be implemented.
Figure 6. In the Flower Ocean Garden, flower display in mass is interspersed with interpretative and recreational activities on smaller scales, creating a multi-layered experience for the tourist.
3.2. Master Plan of MOLEWA
1) The Project Promoter has commissioned a preliminary master plan for MOLEWA/Huayan Township. Figure 7 gives the plot shapes and sizes, as well as road and public realm layout. Generally speaking, MOLEWA consists of two parts. The northern part (plots 1 – 8) supports the commercial and cultural activities, whereas the southern part (plots 9 – 18) provides a pleasant and sustainable living environment for the local residents.
2) This master plan will serve as a blue print for the development of the new township, and a guide for the contestant to conceptualize his/her design and envision how it would fit with the overall township, as well as the Flower Ocean Garden.
3) The Architect responsible for the MOLEWA master plan, Chetwoods Architects, has been appointed as the Professional and Technical Advisor for the present competition and will be available to answer questions from prospective designers.
4) A design parameter guide is attached as Annex A of this Conditions of Competition. A reasonable degree of flexibility is maintained as regards the master plan, as the winning designs from the competition will be reintegrated through a public realm design to achieve the maximum effect and harmony. Furthermore, wherever a conflict exists between the design parameter guide and this condition of competition, the latter shall prevail.
Figure 7. Plot details of the MOLEWA competition. The contestant must identify the plot his or her design is directed to and the design must conform to the building type specified in the text.
3.3. Sustainable Design
1) An exemplar of new urbanization, MOLEWA places great emphasis on sustainability.
2) In addition to building functions and visual appeal, the Project Promoter encourages the application of the latest sustainable design principles, including:
Low carbon transportation,
Renewable energy sources,
“Smart city” technologies,
New building materials and/or techniques.
3) Considering, however, that the project intends to be a practical example for future urban development of medium-sized cities, cost-effectiveness of sustainable design must be demonstrated or demonstrable.
3.4. Cultural Expression
1) With 18 discrete buildings and an open international competition, MOLEWA is an ideal platform for exhibiting and celebrating the many cultural traditions of world civilization.
2) A good design approach is for each contestant to establish a cultural theme and, through a personal yet international style, express this theme through the long-lasting beauty of a built form.
3) As a celebration of diversity, themes promoting positive messages such as peace, understanding, knowledge, creativity, environment, friendship, and adventure are all welcome.
3.5. Commercial Considerations
1) MOLEWA should demonstrate to future promoters of similar projects that good design can result in good return.
2) “Beauty is valuable” has an economic dimension. The belief of the Promoter is that beauty is not only a psychological effect but also has commercial value. Therefore, a good design will take care to create not only visual impact through beauty but also commercial value by striking the proper balance between formal beauty and practical utility.
3) Therefore the contestant should not shy away from commercial consideration and in fact should emphasize the how the design might create commercial value through its form, functions, or mode of use.
3.6. Other Considerations
1) Considering the adjacency of the world-class Flower Ocean Garden, the “flower theme” is a key design consideration for MOLEWA. Contestants are encouraged to find ways for creative realizations of the flower theme.
2) Possible ways of use of flowers include but are not limited to
a) Landscape
b) Internal decoration (permanent, seasonal, as needed, etc.)
c) External features
d) Exhibits and displays
e) Services (e.g., flower therapy, flower tea house)
f) Any similar creative use of flowers as a key feature to enhance the appeal and value of the designed building
3) The overall objective is to distinguish MOLEWA by the resplendency of flowers in individual buildings, as well as by the overall project environment. Through the natural affinity people have with flowers and the abundant supply of the same, the flower theme will give the project an extremely powerful and tangible Unique Sales Point.