Abstract:

Located in a high-density historic district of Nanjing, New Babylon addresses the acute tension between rapid urban densification and the public’s vanishing access to ecological space. Inspired by Constant Nieuwenhuys’ "New Babylon" theory, this project advocates for a radical vertical separation of functions. By employing an innovative mega-frame suspension system, the design elevates residential units for youth into the air, effectively reclaiming the ground as a 24-hour "Urban Forest" open to the entire community.

This design interprets "Coexistence" through three vital dimensions. First, it fosters social inclusion by transforming private land into a collective stage for basketball, performance, and spontaneous interaction, bridging the gap between young newcomers and long-term local residents. Second, it creates a human-to-nature symbiosis, utilizing a transparent glass envelope and adjustable louvers to nurture an indoor ecosystem that restores microclimate health. Finally, it reconciles past and future by sensitively weaving a futuristic, modular structural solution into the existing historic urban fabric. By shifting the focus from "Absolute Land Ownership" to "Shared Spatial Justice," New Babylon proposes a practice of care and empathy for the future of urban living.