Location: Ningbo, China.

Architect: Benoy.

Benoy, a design firm, is leading the masterplanning for a new mixed-use destination in Ningbo, China. The historical port site will be transformed into a unique commercial destination that blends past with present. The scheme aims to evoke the memory of the area’s heritage through a new mixed-use, retail and cultural experience for the community. Ningbo port was established in 738 and was one of the two biggest seaports in East Asia. Today it is the largest and busiest cargo port in the world in terms of cargo tonnage. With its unique riverside location and reference to the historical and cultural elements, Benoy’s design for Sino Ocean is set to create a new revitalised district for the city. By blending past with present, this scheme injects an energetic new destination into a historic city. Retaining the original form of the historical buildings, Benoy’s design inserts new blocks throughout the site which will form spaces for pedestrian thoroughfares, retail and cultural activities. Through careful placement of the additional new buildings, Benoy was able to preserve the local views of the historical structures which was crucial in the design brief. The new scheme will be part of the evolving city – creating a vibrant new destination nestled amongst a historical site. Benoy has a strong reputation in regeneration projects with the firm’s portfolio including Nanjing MCC World, HARBOUR CITY’s Gala Avenue Westside in Shanghai, the David Jones Flagship Store in Sydney and TSUM Department Store in Kiev.