Shenyang has experienced substantial population growth in recent years and a new central business district is now being planned to accommodate this growth. The challenge was to create a 500,000sqm masterplan for a city facing the demands of an extreme climatic environment, which moves from hot dry summers to cold winters.

The design was based on a combination of three concept areas: recognition and abstract use of ancient Chinese urban design principles, use of world class urban design principles focusing on human scale, and ESD solutions with a focus on water retention and reuse. It was the great synergy between these three elements that made the project successful.