The Orchestra Park lies in Kunshan’s Huaqiao Economic Development Zone, located between two high-density residential neighborhoods and alongside the convergence of two rivers. Covering 8,500 square meters, this project integrates natural preservation and urban functionality. Designed by SoBA (Soft Build Architects), the park transforms an underutilized urban lot into a public space that serves as both a natural retreat and a recreational hub for residents of all ages. Combining cultural heritage with ecological sensitivity, The Orchestra Park offers a space that addresses community needs.
Orchestra Park Technical Information
- Architects1-4: SoBA
- Location: Kunshan, Suzhou, China
- Area: 8,500 m2 | 91,490 Sq. Ft.
- Completion Year: 2023
- Photographs: © Holi
Inspired by this cultural heritage, our design incorporates smooth lines and natural forms that reflect the rhythms of the music. The park’s layout uses curves inspired by these instruments, blending recreation with a three-dimensional representation of the music, offering residents a harmonious mix of nature and culture.
– SoBA Architects
Orchestra Park Photographs
Orchestra Park Design Philosophy
The park’s design preserves mature camphor and dawn redwood trees while addressing the challenge of incorporating modern amenities such as a skateboarding area and restrooms. Its transformation into a green space reflects an effort to create an environment that meets the needs of its users. This project demonstrates the potential of urban design to turn vacant spaces into community assets.
At the heart of The Orchestra Park lies a connection to Kunshan’s cultural identity. The park draws inspiration from the Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo music tradition, an art form recognized as part of the city’s intangible cultural heritage. Known for its graceful melodies played on instruments like the bamboo flute and erhu, this musical tradition informs the park’s flowing lines and rhythmic forms. These design elements create a spatial experience that echoes the elegance and fluidity of the music.
SoBA’s design philosophy, characterized by “Soft Build,” prioritizes agility, sensitivity, and inclusiveness. This approach is evident in the park’s layout, reflecting silk and bamboo’s symbolic forms. By combining cultural motifs with functional design, the architects have crafted a space that integrates cultural and natural elements. The park’s circular jogging path, inspired by the curves of musical instruments, connects adjacent residential areas and unifies its various spaces.
Architectural and Landscape Features
The riverside greenbelt preserves the site’s natural woodland and vegetation. Mature trees and undulating terrain remain intact, creating a serene environment that contrasts with the urban surroundings. Adding a waterside viewing platform and winding exploration paths under the natural canopy invites visitors to engage with the landscape. Sound-interactive installations enhance the sensory experience, making the greenbelt a place for relaxation and discovery.
The layered design of the greenbelt balances open and dense areas, ensuring an environment that changes with the seasons. The integration of natural elements and functional spaces provides residents with a space to connect with the natural world.
In contrast to the greenbelt, the recreational zone incorporates activities and facilities. Leveraging the site’s natural topography, the designers transformed the outlines of Jiangnan silk and bamboo instruments into three-dimensional forms. This area features a skatepark, climbing structures, a fitness playground, and an open-air theater designed to encourage activity and interaction.
A musical fountain plaza and bamboo grove pathways enhance the park’s identity, combining cultural elements with recreational features. A small music classroom provides a space for education and cultural engagement. This combination of features ensures that The Orchestra Park appeals to various age groups, encouraging exploration and social connection.
Critical Reflection and Broader Impact
The Orchestra Park provides a green space in a densely populated area. By addressing the community’s diverse needs, the park serves as a gathering place that encourages social interaction and promotes an active lifestyle. Its integration into the urban fabric makes it a reference for developments that balance ecological preservation with urban functionality.
This project offers insights into the importance of cultural and ecological sensitivity in design. SoBA’s approach to preserving the site’s natural features while incorporating modern amenities demonstrates the potential for harmony between built and natural environments. The park’s design is a study for architects and planners aiming to create spaces that resonate with their cultural and environmental contexts.
Orchestra Park Plans
Orchestra Park Image Gallery
About SoBA
Wang Ruo and Tang Haiyin are the lead architects of SoBA (Soft Build Architects), an innovative design firm with offices in Suzhou, China, and Seattle, WA. Established in 2020, SoBA emphasizes agility, sensitivity, and inclusiveness in its architecture and landscape design approach. Wang and Tang’s work reflects a commitment to harmonizing cultural heritage, ecological preservation, and modern functionality. With a portfolio that includes projects like Sky City Kindergarten, The Orchestra Park, and the Beacon of the Sail, they have gained recognition for creating dynamic spaces that connect people with nature and their cultural roots. Their designs are celebrated for their thoughtful integration of natural forms and human-centered experiences.
Credits and Additional Notes
Lead Architects: Wang Ruo, Tang Haiyin
Architecture and Landscape Design Team: Liao Zhexuan, Li Chuanzhang, Yiqing Wu, Yuan Wang, Xiao Yunxuan (Intern), Zihao Chen (Intern)
Construction Documentation Local Design Institute: Jiangsu Aoyang Ecological Garden Co., Ltd.
Clients: People’s Government of Huaqiao Town, Kunshan City
