Civic Centre, Nanjing, China

CK Architecture was appointed by the Nanjing-Pukou region of the CPRC to undertake the master planning of 20 sqkm of land for commercial, residential and industrial development. Along with our sub consultants we researched the demographics, economics and future projections of the region and planned the land use, transportation and sustainability the region and the design of six major iconic buildings in the area.

This community, entertainment and municipal building is one of the primary focus buildings intended to engender a sense of place. CK Architecture envisages the building as a piece of architectural sculpture, derived from the narrative of the indigenous rain flower pebbles, which were said to have fallen from the clouds as flowers and solidified as jewelled pebbles when they touched the earth, in some stories the rain flowers are likened to butterflies.

It stands some 60m at its tip and would be visible at the base of the mountain at some distance. The form provides generous wings cantilevering over the surrounds to welcome and draw in the community, the raked walls of the theatre and civic floors are lined with an intricate mosaic suggestive of water ripples and underscoring the moment of flux, touching the earth lightly despite the weight of the building above.