We designed and successfully built Dali Creative Area, a mixed-use development in Dali City, in Yunnan province. The project took home first place in a 2014 design competition, and takes significant direction from the area’s landscape, employing a minimalist stepped-form that celebrates its setting. The development will include a hotel, restaurants, offices, retail and exhibition space.

Inspired to create a form that does not detract from the area’s natural beauty, the Dali Creative Area was largely designed in section, effectively supplying daylight and natural ventilation while maintaining views. The resulting set of buildings step with the terrain’s contours and respond to a central green space at the ground level. Similarly, movement through the space alternates between interior areas and open-air terraced green spaces.

Due to its proximity to a historic city gate, the complex maintains single-height commercial and cultural spaces interconnected by lofty double- and triple-height lobbies. The North building will host an exhibition area, media rooms, and multi-occupancy offices, while the South building will house commercial activities, including retail space, restaurants, and a conference center. A separate structure unifies the complex and offers visitors a hotel and wellness spa.

Location: Dali City, China
Design Team: maarc studio + PWD Architecture
Team Lead: Marcin Olszowski
Collaborators:  Flore Outtara, Kevin Park, Tom Benson, Grzegorz Layer, Krzysztof Weber, Jan Pietrzak, Tomasz Brzozowski, Daniel Mayer, Wei Hong, Tianyu Zhang, Francis Young
Area: 25.000 m2
Competition year: 2014
Built year: 2016
Visualisation: Plusout + maarc studio
Sustainability Consultant: Marcin Duszyk