Actively Engaged with Nature through Water Features at Luhu Living Water Park

Park and water are the two keywords in this project. The site is an abandoned steep gutter 1.5 km long with a narrowest width of 40 m. As the name suggests, Luhu Living Water Park is a public space with various dynamic water features in Chengdu, China.

A park with water features (cr: Bing Lu)

The site is located in a steep gutter (cr: Bing Lu)

A place where residents can relax and play (cr: Bing Lu)

The main problem faced by Lab D+H in designing the park was its condition, which was visually unattractive. In fact, its location surrounded by residential buildings is a good opportunity to create a public space that could potentially become a place to connect with nature and gather with the local community. Therefore, the goal was to revive the vitality of the space and make it an inclusive space that provides a sense of belonging to its residents.

A place to connect with nature (cr: Bing Lu)

Gathering space (cr: Bing Lu)

Enjoying leisure time in the park (cr: Bing Lu)

The team approaches the design by adding water elements as the main attraction in the park. All pathways, plazas, and spaces unfold into a linear park through which a series of interactive features pass. Water is operated in various ways inspired by natural waterscape: valleys, waterfalls, canals, shorelines, and islands on smaller scales with varying depths and heights. The decision was made to utilize existing natural conditions: a lake next to it. By drawing water from Lake Lu, the height and speed of the water features can be adjusted to suit seasonal changes.

Water attractions diagram

A linear water park

Not only does it pleasure its users, but the park also has benefits for the surrounding environment. Apart from functioning as an urban oasis for residents, Luhu Living Water Park, which appears like a basin to the surrounding area, also functions as a rain garden that collects water flowing from the street. The design succeeded in adding value to the site so that it was busy and alive. It is also reported that the number of people living in the area increased after the park was completed.

A park that is busy and alive (cr: Bing Lu)

A successful public space (cr: Bing Lu)