Regeneration of the Forbidden City / WILCOTER Architects

In the invited competition launched by the Culture Relic Bureau of Nanjing, WILCOTER Architects envisioned an idea to regenerate the relics of the Forbidden City as a capital of the Ming Dynasty over six hundred years ago. In a city that needs a cultural symbol based on their own history, this proposal tries to regenerate an imperial axis, a special experience and atmosphere where people can never have chance to taste. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Except a gate still there in the southern part, none of the city existed so far. We never intend to rebuild anything new according to the old pattern. To feel the imperial stateliness and grand scale as before through modern design, we use metal red wall-like landscape furniture to tag the enclosure wall, we design the column arrays in the original foundation platform to sign the great space, we create exhibition and perform space for the site by using the space under the high platform, we design the connection between the site and the urban necessaries like parking or tourist information center, we clean up part of the protective river around to be a linear park for hiking and exercise, and we shelter some archaeological site to protect something stay real. After all, we try to create a historic park where has a fantastic experience but at the same time merge in the modern life.