MAD architects wins competition for international cruise centre in china

chongqing cuntan international cruise centre

MAD architects took inspiration from orange gantry cranes to design the winning scheme for a 65,000 sqm international cruise terminal in chongqing, china. the project, led by ma yansong, and in collaboration with the china academy of building research (CASR), will transform an existing cargo terminal in the city’s cuntan port area with access to the yangtze river. the new program comprises a 15,000 sqm cruise port and 50,000 sqm of commercial space.

‘chongqing has mountains and waters,’ said ma yansong, reflecting on the vision behind the winning scheme. ‘however, the yangtze river is more than just a natural landscape in chongqing. because of human activities such as shipping traffic and industrial transport, this mountain city is also full of energy and movement. we want to transform this energy in chongqing from traces of industry into an energy that stimulates the imagination. people can feel the kinetic energy of the city here, but also imagine the public spaces of the future.’

all images courtesy of MAD architects

six science fiction-like buildings inspired by past industry

the above-ground part of MAD’s proposal—called ‘yangtze river skywalk’—is composed of six elevated buildings of varying heights that are interconnected along 430 meters. the color and form of these towers are informed by the large orange gantry cranes that dominate the freight terminal, which the design team noticed while visiting the port site.

‘these gantry cranes became living alien creatures that gave a sense of surrealism,’ ma noted. ‘the new scheme is therefore not only about reflecting the industrial colors of the past, but also about respecting this original surrealism. we have designed the elevated buildings as if they were a futuristic, free-walking city, seemingly arriving here from elsewhere, and perhaps traveling elsewhere once again someday.’

the elevated buildings will be clad in an aluminum curtain walling with floor-to-ceiling glass offering unobstructed views of yangtze river. these spaces will host mixed-use tenants, including shops and restaurants.

the cruise ship landscape park and cruise centre hub

below the six elevated buildings will be the new cruise ship landscape park, which will connect to the century cuntan park on one side and the pier park on the other to create one 100,000 sqm urban green space. from here, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique perspective of chongqing and the yangtze.

underneath the new park is the cruise centre hub, providing access to the ‘floating’ complex and the ground-level landscape park. the design of the cruise centre includes skylights to enhance natural light within the interior space, while an upper cantilevered building avoids overbearing direct sunlight.

MAD architect’s competition-winning scheme aims to establish a unique urban landmark for chongqing that links with the city’s industrial past. it’s also just one part of a 6 square kilometer masterplan to transform the port area into cuntan international new city—an ‘integrated ship, port, city, tourism, shopping and entertainment’ district and the world’s preeminent river cruise port.

the cuntan international cruise centre is slated to begin construction in november 2022 and be completed by 2027.