Architects: Dagi Architectural Design Studio of China Architecture Design & Research Group
Area: 152600 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Arch-Exist Photography
Lead Architects: Cao Xiaoxin
Construction: China Second Construction (Hubei) Branch Company
Category: Cultural Architecture, Public Architecture, Commercial Architecture
Design Leadership: Cao Xiaoxin, Zhan Hong
Architecture Specialty: Liang Li, Zhou Long, Shang Rong, Sun Lei, Sun Chao, Li Ying, Wang Gang
Structural Specialty: Bi Lei, Lu Ang, Cheng Bo, He Ximing
Plumbing Specialty: Dong Chao
HVAC Specialty: Yang Xianghong, Guo Xiaojing
Electrical Specialty: Xu Dongmei, Sun Zeren
Intelligent Specialty: Ren Yawu, Tang Yi
Landscape Specialty: Yu Hao
Master Planning Specialty: Lu Jianqi, Li Shuang
Lighting Specialty: Ding Zhiqiang
Economic Specialty: Zhuo Xinlun, Yang Guanjie
Clients: Lin Kong Gang Investment and Development Group Co., Ltd. Collaborative Design
City: Wu Han
Country: China
Wuhan West&East Lake Cultural Center cultural project by Dagi Architectural Design Studio of China Architecture Design & Research Group in Wuhan, China has redefined civic architecture through a layout organized around a central “Urban Garden” instead of a single dominant structure. Spanning 152,600 square meters and based on a “six pavilions and one center” model, it integrates a theater, museum, library, and archive service center using ecological and green building strategies. Open public spaces between pavilions improve accessibility and reduce maintenance while linking to the city’s greenbelt and park network. Passive environmental design features such as daylighting and natural ventilation support energy efficiency. A cantilevered steel truss system meets structural demands and maintains internal logic. Designed through BIM integration across disciplines, the center functions as both civic infrastructure and landmark, supporting Wuhan’s cultural growth and creative economy.
This project is situated in the West Lake District of Wuhan, along Lin Konggang Avenue. It follows a “six pavilions and one center” configuration, incorporating a theater, museum, library, and archive service center. The total built area spans 152,600 square meters, with a plot ratio of 0.62 and a green space coverage of 30%. The development provides 1,537 parking spaces for motor vehicles. Guided by the concept of an ecological settlement, the design applies green building strategies to establish a space with strong visual identity.
The project departs from the traditional focus on a single building by adopting a layout where multiple structures encircle an “Urban Garden.” The shared public spaces between the auditorium, lecture hall, and temporary exhibition areas of each pavilion enhance spatial quality while lowering maintenance costs, establishing an open, collective, and citizen-oriented model. The “Urban Garden” serves as a connector within the ecological settlement, incorporating cultural functions such as cinemas, creative offices, and training exhibitions. It links to the urban green belt to the north and parkland to the west, forming a cohesive urban green network and creating a dynamic “Public Living Room” for residents.
The project incorporates passive green design strategies throughout. Each pavilion is positioned around the central “Urban Garden” to optimize natural lighting and ventilation. The varied spaces beneath the connecting corridors contribute to reduced energy consumption, supporting goals of environmental protection, energy efficiency, emission reduction, and fostering a balanced relationship with the surrounding natural environment.
From the schematic design phase, the design team coordinated regional planning, architecture, landscape, interior design, lighting, soft decoration, and the visual system to maintain overall coherence and integration. The building structure employs a cantilevered steel truss suspension column system, meeting the demands of over-limit high-rise construction while preserving consistency between external form and internal space. The team implemented advanced BIM technology to facilitate collaborative design across architecture, structural engineering, and MEP disciplines, ensuring the project’s high-quality execution.
In terms of social impact, the project has emerged as a popular landmark in Wuhan, drawing many young visitors and contributing to the city’s cultural enrichment. It has stimulated economic activity in the surrounding areas, supported the growth of the cultural and creative industries, and added new momentum to Wuhan’s economic development. Through its design quality and comprehensive system coordination, the Wuhan East West Lake Cultural Center has established itself as a new cultural anchor for the city.
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Project Location
Address: West Lake District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
