Hangzhou, China – Zaha Hadid Architects has been appointed to design key cultural buildings within the Qiantang Bay Cultural District Hangzhou, a major canal-side regeneration project that will transform former industrial land into a vibrant cultural and ecological urban corridor.
Located along the historic Zhedong Canal in Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan district, the project centers on a landscaped Central Water Axis designed to reconnect the city with its waterfront. The development will introduce public parks, gardens, terraces and civic spaces that link the canal with surrounding neighborhoods while revitalizing the underused canal basin.
Transforming a canal corridor into a cultural hub
The Qiantang Bay Cultural District Hangzhou aims to convert previously industrial land into a continuous green corridor integrated with cultural and educational facilities. The masterplan includes waterfront promenades, plazas, landscaped terraces and gathering spaces designed to encourage public activity along the canal.
A network of bridges and pedestrian routes will connect both sides of the canal, improving accessibility while creating a new central public corridor running through the district.
Cultural buildings at the heart of the development
Within the district, Zaha Hadid Architects will design a series of landmark cultural buildings that interact with the surrounding landscape.
One of the key components is a new public library designed around a series of inhabitable structural columns that house book collections, archives, reading areas and community spaces. The building’s façade draws inspiration from Hangzhou’s historic jade craftsmanship, using masonry elements that reflect the texture and tone of the stone.
The project will also include an International Youth Centre designed to host seminars, exhibitions, performances and conferences. Terraces overlooking the canal will extend the building’s activities outdoors, creating spaces for cultural events and public gatherings.
Sustainability and water-sensitive design
Environmental performance plays a central role in the project’s design. Landscaped areas throughout the district are planned as part of Hangzhou’s “sponge city” infrastructure, incorporating permeable surfaces, planted swales and water-retention systems to manage rainwater and reduce flood risks.
Energy-efficient systems and integrated renewable energy solutions are also expected to enhance the environmental performance of the buildings and surrounding public spaces.
Strengthening Hangzhou’s cultural infrastructure
The Qiantang Bay Cultural District Hangzhou project is part of the city’s broader strategy to expand cultural infrastructure while regenerating historic waterways and urban landscapes.
Once completed, the canal-side development is expected to become a major civic and cultural destination, offering new spaces for education, recreation and public life while reconnecting Hangzhou’s urban environment with its historic canal network.
