Sanya Tonghai Park / MWLA

Architects: Chengdu MaiWei Landscape Architecture Studio
Area: 1.2 hectares
Year: 2025
Photography: E-ar TARS
Design Guidance: Gan Weiwei
Chief Technical Engineer: Jin Liangliang
Architects Team: Ma Qing, Teng Long, Liao Jiawei, Gao Qingying, Fu Lihong, Zheng Peng, Liu Lijun, Tang Changguo, Long Tingting, Yang Dan, Wang Qiong, Li Min
Contractor: Shenzhen Ocean Landscape Engineering Design Co., Ltd.
Materials: Native planting, permeable paving, ecological shoreline systems
Client: China Merchants Sanya Deep Sea Science and Technology City Development Co., Ltd.
City: Sanya, Hainan Province
Country: China

Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City Tonghai Park introduces a coastal public landscape that reinforces ecological resilience while offering a welcoming environment for families and children. The project strengthens the link between Yazhou Bay’s shoreline and the broader green network of the Science and Technology City through restored wetlands, native plant communities, and soft landform transitions. Circulation routes follow a system of gentle curves that create varied spatial conditions without repeating the site’s existing natural motifs. Rainwater management strategies and permeable materials support hydrological performance, and calibrated elevations maintain accessibility during high tides. Landscaped mounds and low sculpted forms generate distinct experiences for different age groups while preserving a sense of openness across the park. Through the interplay of natural processes and carefully modeled terrain, the project cultivates a setting that merges ecological function with everyday urban life.

The design team approached Tonghai Park with the intention of demonstrating how a compact urban park can embrace the character of a coastal site rather than overwrite it. Their strategy centered on creating a landscape that feels porous and adaptive, responding to both the rhythms of tidal movement and the shifting patterns of community use. This vision allowed the project to develop as an environment shaped by gradients rather than strict partitions.

Preservation of existing natural features became a fundamental starting point. Wetland vegetation and wild grasses informed the placement of new elements, ensuring that introduced forms complemented rather than replaced the site’s ecological textures. The shoreline acted as a guiding axis for circulation and planting distribution, enabling the park to retain its ecological identity while accommodating increased public activity.

Sustainability considerations were integrated into the park’s structure rather than treated as separate components. Permeable paving, rainwater infiltration systems, and topographic modulation were used to manage stormwater, reduce heat retention, and reinforce comfort for visitors. These measures also ensured that the park remains functional during high tide periods, with pathways and rest areas positioned to stay accessible when water levels rise.

The spatial composition draws from the imagery of islands and tidal shifts, expressed through sculpted ground planes that create subtle variations in elevation. These forms provide opportunities for play, exploration, and informal gathering without relying on conventional playground installations. By leveraging movement and terrain rather than added structures, the design encourages intuitive engagement with the landscape.

Age inclusivity is achieved through nuanced transitions rather than separately designated areas. Younger visitors encounter playful slopes and textured plantings, while adults find shaded resting points and open vistas oriented toward the bay. As visitors move across the site, changes in elevation and vegetation density produce varied atmospheres that adjust gradually rather than abruptly.

Throughout the park, artistic expression emerges from the choreography of landform, planting, and light. The designers prioritized quiet visual harmony, allowing natural materials and ecological processes to guide the aesthetic. By grounding the project in its coastal setting and aligning it with the wider green infrastructure of Yazhou Bay, Tonghai Park demonstrates how urban public space can support both environmental resilience and community-oriented design.