Berkeley-based TLS Landscape Architecture has won the Lion Mountain Park Design competition in Suzhou, China, corresponding to the Chinese government's new Urban Work Guidelines. The guidelines prioritize ecological and urban development, as well as rejuvenation of local character in public spaces. Lion Mountain Park will be the first large-scale public project to be constructed according to these values, envisioned as the core of a new urban ecosystem complex.

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Save this picture! Courtesy of TLS Landscape Architecture

To that end, the park aims to revitalize the surrounding mountain, forest, and aquatic environment through natural processes in the traditional Chinese style of shanshui—unifying the adjacent Shishan (Lion) Mountain and Shishan Lake. Shishan Lake is planned to double in size and improve drastically in water quality as a result of a new sustainable watershed that harvests rainwater and naturally filters runoff from the development area.

Save this picture! Courtesy of TLS Landscape Architecture

Save this picture! Courtesy of TLS Landscape Architecture

Lion Mountain Park is also projected to become the featured amenity of the up-and-coming Suzhou High-Tech District. Developers hope the park's spotlight on flourishing nature and an ancient geological landmark will produce a high-value focal point in its urban environment. At 74 hectares, the park will be built on the grounds of a former amusement park and pond, and will house a public art program emphasizing local cultural and artistic traditions. Park construction is scheduled to begin in March 2017.

News via: TLS Landscape Architecture