Meixi Urban Helix

Lead Designers Jean Sundin, Enrique Peiniger, Markus Fuerderer

Entry Description

Merging the natural elements of water with the urban development, the Meixi Urban Helix is a beautiful oasis uniting the two worlds of nature and man-made structure. Located in the southwest of Changsha, this new urban axis is a multi-functional, public space for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Meixi and the planned city expansion it overlooks.
A balanced lighting scheme combines few directly visible lighting elements with a backdrop of indirectly illuminated architectural finishes and surfaces. The iconic gesture for the exterior nighttime identity is a continuous, flowing band of radiant light that creates a visual connectivity of the double-helix ramp and connecting bridge. Concealed linear LED uplight coves illuminate the ramp canopy at night to articulate a continuous, spiraling ribbon of light. A low-mounted guiding element of sparkle using miniature marker lights along the inner ramp perimeter illuminate the walkway and intuitively guide visitors up and down the helix