Turenscape transforms concrete sea wall into "resilient public space"

Chinese landscape architecture studio Turenscape has transformed a concrete sea wall on an abandoned fish farm into a public space in Haikou City, Hainan.

Named A Breathing Sea Wall, the project aims to help alleviate the local threat of rising sea levels while providing locals with useable outdoor space.

The concrete structure, which spans a 3.72-kilometre-long beach, has been updated by Turenscape with an improved stormwater management system as well as recreational facilities, such as sculptural pavilions and walkways.

Before its transformation, the existing four-metre-high sea wall was causing salt to build up in the soil, which was damaging the surrounding vegetative windbreak.

"The project was inspired by the need to address the environmental damage caused by the existing concrete sea wall, which exacerbated soil salinisation and amplified erosive force," Turenscape founder Kongjian Yu told Dezeen.

"The aim was to transform the area into a resilient public space that would adapt to rising sea levels and restore the local ecosystem," he continued.

To improve the quality of the barrier, the studio converted it into a terraced structure incorporating plants.

According to the studio, this terraced design allows "water to flow more naturally through the landscape".

"The sea wall's permeable, terraced design allows seawater infiltration while preventing severe salinisation," Yu explained. "It also helps manage stormwater and urban runoff."

The site of A Breathing Sea Wall was previously a shrimp farm, where native mangrove habitats had been replaced with barren concrete ponds. As part of the project, Turenscape aimed to restore a more open, natural landscape.

Measures taken to achieve this include the introduction of bioswales that help manage stormwater and are hoped to encourage the growth of native flora.

"The project restores the ecosystem by transforming barren concrete ponds and degraded inland habitats into vibrant mangrove and native habitats," said Yu.

To make A Breathing Sea Wall accessible to the public, it is complete with pedestrian pathways, bike lanes and boardwalks.

Prefabricated concrete slabs were used for pedestrian areas and pavilions modelled on ocean waves, which serve as both functional shelters and aesthetic features.

A Breathing Sea Wall is among the shortlisted projects in the Landscape and urban design category of this year's Dezeen Awards.

Other landscape architecture projects recently featured on Dezeen include a flood-defence system in Denmark by CF Møller and SOA Architekti's transformation of a graveyard into a public park in the Czech Republic.

Turenscape was founded in 1997 by Chinese landscape architect Yu, who was the recipient of the 2023 Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize. Its project A Breathing Sea Wall is among the shortlisted projects in the Landscape and Urban Design category of this year's Dezeen Awards.

The photography is by Turenscape.

A quarterly newsletter rounding up a selection of recently launched products by designers and studios, published on Dezeen Showroom.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly, is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and breaking news.

Sent every Thursday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen’s services and invitations to Dezeen events.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates and invitations to Dezeen events.

News about our Dezeen Awards China programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

ADEPT and LYTT Architecture elevate lookouts within Amager ...

Bear Architects designs Zubitegi Park in Spain as "living ...

CF Møller creates flood-defence system that doubles as a ...

White Arkitekter adds hyperboloid observation tower to ...

"Regenerative" eco-park opens on site of cancelled Mexico ...

Temp nestles charred-wood pavilion in rocky Shanghai garden

Tianjin 4A Sports Park is a multipurpose play area in China ...

Feilden Fowles creates "living laboratory" in Natural ...

Visit our comments page | Read our comments policy