CapitaLand’s newly completed Raffles City is a sustainable urban hub for living, working and leisure located in Hangzhou. It forms the eighth Raffles City development in China. Situated in Qianjiang New Town near Qiantang River, this mixed-use development becomes a major landmark along the green axis of the city’s new CBD. A rich mix of 24/7 functions occupies almost 400,000 sq m within two streamlined towers set atop a podium and landscaped plaza.
     Designed by Ben van Berkel / UNStudio, the project is conceived as a lively vertical neighbourhood and transit hub and featuring stunning views of the river and West Lake areas. The sixty-storey, 250 metre-tall highrises contain residential units, Grade A offices, the Conrad Hotel and a rooftop helipad. The 116,000 sq m six-storey podium accommodates retail, restaurants, leisure facilities and parking with a direct underground connection to the metro.
     While the city’s heritage focuses on the picturesque UNESCO heritage-listed West Lake, its future points to a new economic, political and cultural centre orientated towards the river. With strong future ambitions especially concerning sustainability, economy and livability, Hangzhou is a city on the move.
     In light of the impacts of urbanisation worldwide, UNStudio posed the question: How can we utilise a dense, mixed programme as part of a transit-oriented development to stimulate sustainable living and improve quality of life? 
     For full story and many more picturesque photos, plans and illustrations, please watch out in the coming issue of Building Journal. Subscribe <E-version>

Photo: ©Hufton+Crow, ©Seth Powers, ©Jin Xing