Yixing Conceptual Water Treatment Plant
As early as in the initial phase of the project, Mr. Qu Jiuhui, the initiator of the project, as well as an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor of School of Environment, Tsinghua University, has expressed his expectation for the plant in an elegant way, describing it as a future-oriented conceptual plant with a beautiful and profound look, a novel structure, inexhaustible resources, smart and relaxed brains, a highland of technological progress and a garden full of love. And all of the 6 features above have become the consensus of scientists and architects of the water treatment plant.
Background & Purpose of Project
The project of Yixing Conceptual Water Treatment Plant, a key project of SCD Water Service, is part of the company’s efforts to upgrade conventional sewage treatment plants to environmental-friendly and recycling-oriented plants. Alleviating the Not-in-my-backyard effect, the upgrade will transform a closed pollution-control plant into a sustainable and future-oriented infrastructure project that is environmental-friendly, open to the public, harmonious with its neighborhood and available for science education.
Description of Project
Located in an eco-scenic spot by Gehu West Road, Gaocheng Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, the site of the project, surrounded by waters and farmlands, abounds in ecological resources. In the 8-hectare site for the plant, 20,000 square meters of structures have been built, including a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 20,000 t/d, a sludge & OM treatment center with a capacity of 100 t/d, a science management center (5234 square meters) and a pilot zone for experimental lines.
The overall planning of the plant is implemented in pursuit of an intensive layout, the efficient use of land, the integration of landscape & buildings, and the care for human.
The plant has been divided into 3 clusters, namely the water cluster at the north for sewage treatment, the sludge cluster at the west for sludge & OM treatment, and the R&D office cluster at the southwest. Each cluster, equipped with independent entrances and front yards, are connected to a walking bridge around a central garden. And the bridge, built for walks around the plant, offers multi perspectives of seeing the whole plant and serves as division between clusters, integrating the landscape and the buildings.
The water cluster and the sludge cluster are located at the north and west part of the site respectively in consideration of the predominant wind direction and the source of municipal sewage, thus minimizing their disturbance to R&D offices and public spaces in the plant.
With a conceptual experimental zone at the ground floor and offices at the top floor, the R&D office building has a compact layout while boasting a shared landscape spot in the center, which can be viewed from various circulation spaces such as staircases and corridors.
In the water cluster, a “Tank Coffee Shop” clings to the southern wall of a secondary sedimentation tank. The specially designed space can be also transformed into a conference hall or exhibition hall, serving for both internal and external purposes. Several small courtyards scattered in the coffee shop has optimized views and positions of openings while covering structural elements and separating different zones.
Positioning & Significance of Project
The core value of the project lies in creating a conceptual plant that not only meets industrial demands, but also serves as a public space that draws people close to it. Here people can percept, experience or even play with its features, enjoying the changes of nature, the diversity of ecological environment and the ever-changing patterns of light. Through the delicate spatial experience, concepts of the plant are conveyed to people, raising their awareness for the conservation of resources, the care for environment and the respect for humanity.