'1000 trees' by heatherwick studio, now open to the public in shanghai

PHASE ONE OF ‘1000 TREES’ NOW COMPLETE ALONG THE SUZHOU CREEK  the first phase of the ‘tian’an 1000 trees’ MIXED-USED DEVELOPMENT is now complete and open to the public in SHANGHAI. designed

by HEATHERWICK STUDIO, the architecture takes the form of two tree-covered mountains, featuring up to 1,000 structural columns and more than 70 plant species. emerging as large planters,

each column holds a cluster of trees that are kept lush by an integrated and automated watering system.   the grand opening was officiated on december 22 along the suzhou creek, during which

the hanging trees illuminated like a thousand lights.  image courtesy of qingyan zhu and tian’an via heatherwick studio THE NEW ‘HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON’ led by architect THOMAS

HEATHERWICK for TIAN’AN, ‘1000 trees’ is unapologetically defined as ‘_the city’s hanging gardens of babylon_‘. indeed, the atypical development has intrigued locals and visitors during its

eight-year development. and once complete, the 300,000 sqm project will ‘_become the most shining ‘pearl’ along the 42-kilometer-long suzhou creek riverside in shanghai’s downtown_,’_ 

_shares song shengli, deputy director of putuo’s publicity department.  image © tian’an A MIXED-USED COMPLEX THAT CELEBRATES INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE  restaurants, museums, galleries, and

entertainment hubs are currently included in the project’s initial phase. many more will populate the second plot of land where construction for phase two is already underway. to highlight

shanghai’s historic value, heritage buildings are also incorporated into the mega-complex. specifically, the final development will include four buildings and a bell tower (now a sightseeing

elevator) belonging to a former four plant. all in all, ‘_the aim was (to have) a warm and live structure with harmonious relationship between human and nature, rather than a concrete

mammoth_,’ concludes huang jingsheng, project marketing general manager. image courtesy of qingyan zhu and tian’an via heatherwick studio image courtesy of qingyan zhu and tian’an via

heatherwick studio PROJECT INFO:  NAME: tian’an 1000 trees  TOTAL AREA: 300,000 sqm CLIENT: TIAN’AN ARCHITECTURE: HEATHERWICK STUDIO  LOCATION: suzhou creek, shanghai, china STATUS: phase 1

complete / phase 2 in progress  PHOTOGRAPHY: QINGYAN ZHU, tian’an