Penda China defines curvilinear grace with a
madeleine-shaped canopy portal, integrating the entrance, threshold and
transition zones into a unified whole.
In 2020,
PRC’s central government set out a Masterplan to get the ball rolling in
supporting the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port (Hainan FTP) , which has
been designated to be a hub port under the policy of The Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI, 一带一路) . Thus far, Hainan Province has quickly and seamlessly
integrated into the special economic zone (SEZ) of Mainland China, and its
free trade port is now on par with those of Hong Kong and Singapore.
Transportation is clearly crucial for the proper functioning of a major hub
port; accordingly, Jiangdong New District in Haikou City - the capital and most
populous city in Hainan – has
commissioned an underground passageway, the Wenming East Tunnel. The project
facilitates the New District’s
fast-growing transportation and logistics needs with an elegant design,
efficiently connecting Haikou City with Chengmai County and Wenchang City as
part of the overall economic integration of the area.
Basic info:
Wenming East Tunnel is 4380m at its full length (2720m
for the underground 6-lane dual carriageway) with a maximum depth of over 23m.
It is the first tunnel to be constructed underneath the Nandu River; vehicles
traveling within the tunnel may drive at a maximum speed of 60km/h on the
motorway, with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h at road junctions.
Penda China was commissioned to design three entrances to
the tunnel, one of which is much larger in scale and located on the east side,
by the shoreline; the other two are on the west side and much smaller.
Generally, vehicular tunnel entrances must provide a transition zone in order
to allow the human eye time to acclimate to the considerable change in
brightness when going into the tunnel. To dispel any danger to potential
drivers, Penda China’s design does away with LED light grilles, and instead
incorporates a curved madeleine-shaped canopy. This open clamshell shape ushers
in natural light, while maintaining a uniformity of luminance at the entrance.
The entrances are a practice of bionic design, taking
elements of marine life as sculptural inspiration, and specifically use
undulating white shells as a prototype in homage to their location by the sea.
The canopy is clad in glazed aluminum panels, which have been selected for
their exceptional shine and luster. Subtle black lines delineate the outer
surface of the canopy in counterpoint to the expanse of curving white panels.
The underside of the canopy also incorporates the undulating texture, with the
white material continued down the side walls to ensure a uniformity of
luminance which is pleasing to the eye. The appearance of a fish’s gills has
been taken as a motif there, in a continuation of the marine life theme.
Light travels into the tunnel and over the undulating
surface in a rhythmic manner, akin to ripples in still water which gently
repeat and gradually subside. The way the stainless steel sheets have been
embedded in the granite walls allows the reflected light pattern to continue
further, extending the established rhythm. Penda China have also drawn creative
inspiration from marine bioluminescence, incorporating a multitude of small
lights embedded in the lines between cladding panels. This allows the outer
shell to emit a glow at night from up top, bringing a hint of romance to the
city.
The three entrance designs vary in size, shape, and
location, while all adhering to the same set of design principles, creating a
harmony between them and their particular sites. From a bird’s eye point of
view, these futuristic landmark entrances stand out from the existing city
fabric and provide a tinge of surrealism to Haikou, as envisioned by Penda
China. As time goes on, who knows what a city will look like 20 years from now?
Perhaps these entrances are simply a beautiful vision of the future, as
imagined by Penda China.
PROJECTNAME：Wenming East Tunnel Entrances
PROJECTLOCATION：Jiangdong New District, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
PROJECTSIZE：2720m (East-30*60/West-15*60)
PROJECTTYPE：Infrastructure,Transportation
PROJECTYEAR：2020
PROJECTTEAM：Sun Dayong & Wan Shuyan
PHOTOGRAPHER：Xiazhi
