ASPECT Studios wins competition for a cultural landmark in Sanya

ASPECT Studios has won a design competition for a cultural and culinary haven which aims to light up both the daytime and night-time economies in Sanya, China.

Created to complement the architectural design by Kengo Kuma & Associates, our design for the Haitang District takes inspiration from its striking setting on the Hainanese coast, and the interplay of people, place and nature.

The jury, comprised of local community leaders, operational experts, and architects, recognized the winning design not only for advancing the overall project vision and identity, but also for the way it elevates the experience of place and its focus on human-scale interaction.

The landscape weaves together commercial, retail, and dining using an exploratory subtropical environment. Native planting displays, Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) systems, comfort and cooling strategies, and a palette of local materials have been strategically integrated to create a series of unique landscapes that mix experience and functionality.