Along the Zhedong Canal in the city of Hangzhou, China, a new cultural district is set to rise. The Qiantang Bay Central Water Axis is a project by Zaha Hadid Architects that reimagines a former industrial area as a long corridor running alongside the waterway, punctuated by parks, squares, and pedestrian promenades.

A dense network of bridges and cycle-pedestrian paths will connect the city to the new district, making it possible to cross the canal from one bank to the other and to reach the buildings designed by ZHA Architects. These buildings are shaped in response to the site’s morphology, pedestrian circulation flows, and the paths of natural light throughout the year.

The entire project is modeled in response to local climatic conditions, adopting strategies aimed at improving building performance and generating the energy required for their operation. With sustainability not merely following the design but generating it, the site strengthens its resilience through permeable surfaces, planted green channels, and rainwater retention systems. This reflects the principle of the “sponge city,” which in recent decades has guided many public and urban projects in China as a tool for flood prevention.

Among the buildings planned for the Qiantang Bay Central Water Axis, the library pays homage to Chinese architectural and artisanal traditions. A distinctive feature is the sequence of enormous columns that define one of the façades: these are inhabitable structural elements that will house an extensive collection of books and archives. Green stone elements pay tribute to the region’s five-thousand-year-old artistic tradition of jade craftsmanship.

Inside, the reading rooms and shared spaces are illuminated by natural light filtering through large glazed surfaces, creating a soft and comfortable atmosphere for reading and study. The library’s articulated structure organizes conference halls, educational spaces, and a series of collective areas intended for cultural and performative activities, such as the International Youth Centre dedicated to exchange and cooperation between local and international students. Outside, a system of terraces facing the water extends the building’s use into the public realm, transforming it into an open and accessible place.

Opening image: ZHA Architects, Qiantang Bay Cultural District, Hangzhou, China