Crystal City - Building the Future in History

Author: Wang Shouzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Constructing the future from history, recalling history in the future. In the past two decades, China's real estate developers have "created" many new things: more residential communities, more landscapes, more concepts. But there is one thing that developers cannot create out of thin air—history. — Tianjin Vanke's Shan Xiaohai advocates for the development of real estate that respects the context (cultural heritage). This requires not only responsibility but also skill and creativity—in this regard, Chinese developers, as well as professors and scholars, should put in more thought and effort. — Wang Shi, Chairman of Vanke Group, promotes Vanke's approach in Crystal City, which always generates some echoes. If these echoes can become a force, contributing to more protection of our traditions, including the traditions of the half-century since the liberation, I would be very satisfied. — Professor Wang Shouzhi, Distinguished Professor at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles
In China's rapid urbanization, the attitude of builders toward the history of the land has become an unavoidable topic. The Vanke project implemented in Tianjin's Glass Factory thus holds universal significance: The distinctive Tianjin-style Wuda Road area and the carefully preserved original appearance of the Glass Factory serve as key elements in Vanke's planning for this residential community. Vanke preserves, contrasts, and overlays, drawing inspiration from the styles and essence of European small towns and the small villas of Wuda Road, integrating the cultural context of a factory and a city into this residential area. Once, a 670-acre glass factory witnessed the prosperity of Tianjin's industry. Today, a 400,000-square-meter new residential community with historical significance has become the living stage for more families.