China’s Mad Architects has unveiled its design for the 180,000 sq m Jiaxing Civic Centre, which will contain three venues: a science and technology museum, a women and children’s activity centre, and a youth activity centre.
The three developments are based around a 6,000 sq m circular lawn and are linked by a shared circular roof that has the appearance of a tarpaulin floating in the wind.
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The project’s organic forms are, Mad says, inspired by the ancient canal towns that line the southern bank of the Yangtze River.
The civic centre is located in a park adjacent to the Jiaxing’s South Lake, and is clad in locally produced white ceramic panels, referencing traditional barrel tile roofs.
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mad3_13.jpg)
The project also contains an amphitheater, a sunken plaza and a 350m-long landscaped corridor and running path.
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mad4_9.jpg)
Ma Yansong, Mad Architects’ founder, said: "A civic centre, first and foremost, must be a place that attracts people; a place where children, youth, seniors and families are willing to come together on a daily and weekly basis. We have created an undulating ring to serve as a garden-like living room for the city: an embrace."
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mad5_2.jpg)
Jiaxing Civic Center is due to be completed by the end of 2023.
Mad Architects recently won a competition to design a "Train Station in the forest" in Jiaxing.
Images courtesy of Mad Architects