As part of a larger effort to establish its downtown as a center for business and culture during a period of unprecedented growth, the City of Jacksonville was in need of a design and investment strategy for its underused waterfront along both banks of the St. Johns River. The design team’s approach entails both a large-scale and a node-based strategy, identifying sites of particular opportunity, improving the overall quality of the urban fabric, and establishing an urban design and wayfinding strategy that improves connections to the Brooklyn and Riverside communities.
The large-scale vision sets forth design guidelines for the river’s North and South Banks in a “kit of parts” for upgrades to the built environment. This includes suggestions for wayfinding systems, outdoor lighting, hardscape materials, and planting palettes, the implementation of which will strengthen Downtown Jacksonville’s identity and better connect its Riverwalk to inviting public spaces.
The second strategy highlights a series of nodes near opportunity sites along the waterfront, predetermined by the American Institute of Architects’ Jacksonville Chapter, and connects them through a “Green Ribbon.” These sites were selected for their contributions to Jacksonville’s development throughout the years, and while some are no longer in operation, they represent present-day cultural assets for the city. Designated as either primary or secondary depending on their potential, these nodes were explored for particular design guidance and strategic investment, with initial focus by the design team on Times Union Center for the Performing Arts (Node 6) and Friendship Park (Node 11).
OCT Bao’an Waterfront Cultural Park
Bao’an Waterfront Park is an essential amenity for future residents of Shenzhen’s rapidly expanding Qianhai area, and is also an important connection between the urban fabric and the ocean. The key landscape frameworks for the park are its riverine interpretation aspects and water’s edge programs. The “Eco River” will bring water experiences into the green spa...
SIPG Harbor City Parks
This new riverfront development is located on the Yangtze River in the Baoshan District of Shanghai. This area boasts some of the highest shipping activity in the world. However, in recent years this single-function industrial zone has given way, allowing for waterfront parks to develop. Within this historically layered water front the Baoshan Park and Open Sp...
Ningbo East New Town Civic Plaza
As an extension of the Ningbo East New Town Government Center, this civic plaza extends the geometry and ecology of SWA’s past work in the city. A central civic axis runs from the government buildings to the Dongqian Lake edge, providing a large, flexible gathering/event space adjacent to an expansive lawn as well as sweeping views of the water. Per city plann...
Kaohsiung Waterfront Renovation
SWA, in association with Morphosis Architecture and CHNW, developed a vision for the future of Kaohsiung Harbor Wharfs, which includes 114 hectares of prime waterfront property formerly used for cargo shipping. The site, located in the shipping heart of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, was historically subjected to environmental neglect and rampant uncontrolled development....