Turkish architecture firm Erdem Architects has released their proposal for the Futuristic City Competition, which aimed to explore the new relationship between the traditional Chinese landscape and a new development for the future city - the connection between the nostalgia of traditional landscape vs modern way of living, with the foresight of globalization in local regional development.

The circular masterplan, led under the leadership of Sunay Erdem, who is co-founder of Erdem Architects, creates several "oriental peaks" that create an architectural landscape based on the natural landscape of Xingyi Karst Mountains.

"This new architecture not only recreates the iconic silhouettes of the Xingyi peaks, but more importantly creates an autonomous ecosystem where the flow of air, water, heat and energy are channeled in almost natural ways," said Erdem Architects, as related to their proposal.

Comprised of a series of mountainous peaks, the masterplan creates biotopes and eco-niches, it channels water and stores heat, it provides viewpoints and valleys, access and shelter. The Oriental Peaks City are not only metaphors, but actual living models of the mountainous ecosystems of Yilong District.

Each of the Oriental Peaks house different types of residential developments, derived from the geometry of a famous mountain in Xingyi. Individually each mountain becomes a principle for mixing private and public functions.

"Together the mountains form an organic skyline merging with the natural topography of the project. A dense vibrant urban community connected to a series of private resort villages by a central public valley," added the studio.

"A continuous public trekking path connects the mountains and invites visitors to scale the top of all peaks. In addition to the Oriental Peaks City  the Master Plan also includes 3000 private housing that take advantage of their setting with panoramic views out over the Xingyi Karst Mountains."

Oriental Peaks City was designed as an important step into the future of urban development in Yilong District. Considering the local climatic conditions, by help of the wind, the sun and the waste the City will produce the same amount of energy as it consumes. In a society literately built on oil this will serve as a showcase for a new way of thinking sustainable planning.

The architects analyzied wind simulations of the microclimates to reinterpret the landscaping of the project, which resulted in several mountains.

"Swirly patterns created by the wind moving its way through the Oriental Peaks inform the planting of trees and the design of public spaces. Where the winds and turbulence are strongest the trees becomes denser, creating lower wind speeds and thus a comfortable outdoor leisure climate," explained the studio.

The buildings of the Oriental Peaks City are heated and cooled by heat pumps connecting to the surrounding Qiushui lake. Solar heat panels integrated in the architecture create a steady supply of hot water, while photovoltaics on strategically located facades and roof tops power daytime functions as swimming pools.

Waste water and storm water is collected and led to a waste water treatment plant, where it is then cleaned, processed and recycled for irrigation. The solid parts of the waste water are processed and composted and finally turned into top soil, fertilizing the project area The constant irrigation and fertilizing of the area supports the lush green condition of a Oriental Peaks City, with a minimal ecological footprint.

Oriental Peaks City benefits from the fact that Xingyi is “the city of wind”. By harvesting the wind energy through an offshore wind farm, the project area will have its own CO2-neutral power supply.

Erdem Architects is a leading international partnership practicing contemporary architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism. The office, led by two partners Gunay Erdem and Sunay Erdem, has offices in Turkey, New York and Dubai. 

All images © Erdem Architects

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