Heatherwick Studio, renowned for its innovative and often unconventional approach to design, has unveiled the Xi’an Centre Culture Business District (CCBD) in Xi’an, China. Situated strategically south of the historic center, between the remnants of the Temple of Heaven and the iconic Shaanxi TV tower, the project demonstrates the studio’s characteristic blend of sculptural forms, sensitive site integration, and a deep respect for local culture. The CCBD seamlessly integrates a diverse program, including a retail podium, pedestrian-friendly streets, terraced landscapes, open plazas, offices, residential spaces, accommodations, lush green areas, and a captivating vertical park, all while celebrating the city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and ceramics.
At the core of this 155,000m² neighborhood lies a deep appreciation for ceramics, with intricately crafted tiles adorning the facades, columns, and sweeping beams. This design choice pays homage to the ancient capital’s renowned Terracotta Army. The design team collaborated closely with local artisans to create over 100,000 uniquely glazed tiles. After conducting more than 2,000 experiments, including the construction of full-scale mock-ups of the columns, the resulting facade showcases a captivating and detailed exterior that invites visitors to not only admire but also engage with the tiles.
Thomas Heatherwick, the founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that the aim was to create an extraordinary new public space for the city. Rather than merely erecting separate buildings and landscaping the areas in between, the opportunity arose to design an unexpected three-dimensional urban landscape that encourages citizens to stroll and connect with one another.
The overarching goal of the project was to find a joyful and modern way to honor Xi’an’s historical significance while fostering community interaction. By focusing on the human scale experience of the environment, the design team was able to incorporate numerous unique construction details, ensuring that the district remains engaging and inviting for all who visit.
The outdoor streets of the district converge at the central plaza, where the Xi’an Tree, a vertical park, serves as a natural gathering point. Visitors have the opportunity to ascend its 56 elevated ‘petals’ or terraces, which feature a series of cascading gardens that reflect the biomes of the ancient Silk Route, ranging from alpine tundra to dry steppe. Towering over 57 meters from the basement level, the Tree provides stunning views across the development, showcasing its diverse roofs, terraces, and streets, as well as the city beyond.
Designed to offer visual complexity from three distinct distances, the district presents itself as a new neighborhood within the city at a macro level, characterized by a unique skyline inspired by the roofs of Xi’an’s traditional temples. When viewed from the street, the interlocking frames and landscape terraces create varying levels that provide different perspectives of the central plaza and the surrounding cityscape. At the door level, the design emphasizes a sensory experience through the thoughtful use of materials and nature, incorporating ceramic planters and soft-edged stones in the paving patterns.
Mat Cash, a partner and group leader at Heatherwick Studio, expressed his thoughts on large-scale developments. He noted that such projects are being constructed worldwide to accommodate rapidly urbanizing populations, but they often come across as overwhelming, uniform, and lacking in character, failing to serve the needs of the people. In contrast, the team aimed to infuse their project in Xi’an with the spirit, variety, and texture that naturally evolve in cities over time.
The district pays tribute to the city’s rich tradition of craftsmanship and its historical ties to ceramics. It is designed to be an inviting space, encouraging interaction with its elements—glazed lift buttons, hand-carved timber handrails, and seats all beckon visitors to engage. The hope is that this place will seamlessly integrate into the fabric of the city, becoming a cherished destination where visitors will want to linger for years to come.