The Landscape Engineering Branch of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture convened its Annual Meeting in Guangzhou from December 27-29, 2023. ZEHO ECO, serving as the vice chairman unit of the society, received an invitation and participated in the conference. Jin Guilong, Director of the General Office of Ecology and Environment, delivered insights during a dedicated forum on "Integrating Traditional Cultural Heritage with Modern Technological Innovation in the Development of Ancient Architecture Exhibition Parks."

Jin Guilong, Director of the General Office at ZEHO ECO Environment, delivered a special presentation

Chinese traditional gardens underscore the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, aspiring to achieve a state where "charm resides within mountains and rivers, providing people with comfort and profound meaning." These gardens stand as invaluable treasures within Chinese traditional culture. In the contemporary era, the advancement of ecological civilization imposes elevated demands on the integration of new technologies and innovative approaches for the preservation and inheritance of traditional gardens.

In the development of Tangshan Garden Expo Park, ZEHO ECO remains committed to the principles of "ecological restoration, green living, and sustainable development." We persistently innovate in crafting mountain and water systems, promoting the green flow of structures and open spaces, implementing intelligent management, and ensuring ongoing sustainable operations. Our approach to the functional layout, integration of new technologies, and engineering management of the ancient architecture exhibition park is guided by the philosophy of "bridging the past with the present," thereby presenting the people of Tangshan with a traditional garden spectacle that harmonizes green ecology and sustainable development.

Tangshan Garden Expo Park

Functional Layout: Bridging Ancient and Modern

The project's original site is a former industrial area resulting from coal mining, characterized by intricate geological and geomorphological features, presenting challenges in development and utilization. Leveraging geological exploration and comprehensive assessments of geological risks, ZEHO ECO seamlessly integrates ecological restoration with geotechnical engineering technology. Utilizing 2.3 million cubic meters of on-site construction waste and non-hazardous materials, the construction of garden mountains is successfully accomplished. The water system gracefully follows the natural contours of the terrain, winding and intertwining with lakes and islands. Embankment restoration employs natural ecological engineering methods, ingeniously addressing issues arising from uneven settlement and water flow erosion, such as deformation and collapse. Incorporating modern landscaping techniques and ecological technologies, the project achieves a harmonious blend, creating a traditional landscape pattern.

Authentic Depiction of the Mountain and Water System at Tangshan Garden Expo

Diverging from past garden exhibitions, Tangshan Garden Expo creatively incorporates five traditional ancient architectural courtyards into public landscape construction, drawing inspiration from Chinese landscape painting and relying on the landscape framework. Adapting to local conditions, pavilions, platforms, bridges, and pavilions seamlessly blend into the scenery, embodying the artistic conception and essence of Chinese classical gardens. Nestled amid mountains and water, the Royal Garden, Tang Feng Garden, Lingnan Garden, Suzhou Garden, and Mountain Garden epitomize the five regional styles of traditional Chinese gardens. Additionally, these spaces fulfill diverse public service functions, including hosting temporary exhibitions and cultural activities during meetings.

The pavilions, bridges, and pavilions of traditional gardens blend into the mountains and rivers

The Royal Garden

The Mountain Garden

Revitalizing the Past through Technological Innovation

To fulfill contemporary functional requirements and accommodate post-meeting usage, the core of the ancient building is crafted using the traditional Chinese wooden structure. Augmented with tile wall structures, black brick flooring, and adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, these elements showcase traditional gardening skills and the spirit of craftsmanship. Doors, windows, insulation, and interior decor incorporate modern materials, ensuring the ancient building complies with green building standards.

The ancient building's primary structure embraces a traditional wooden component design

Artisanal hand-painted oil decorations embellish the exterior of the ancient buildings

Smart technology catalyzes innovation in presenting garden culture, evolving conventional static displays into interactive experiences. In the ancient architecture area, cutting-edge technologies such as VR, AR, MR, and holographic projection are incorporated to craft an immersive and interactive landscape. Intelligent navigation, parking, and stations offer seamless services for tourists. ZEHO ECO's independently developed "Ecological Housekeeper" intelligent maintenance management system progressively enriches the database and platform engagement, transitioning green space maintenance from manual to automated and mechanized operations. Grounded in big data, this approach enhances the natural ecological self-circulation, requiring minimal human intervention. The outcomes include cost reduction and efficiency gains in maintenance operations, elevation of ecological value in blue-green spaces, and a boost in biodiversity.

AR interactive camera for ancient courtyard architecture

Smart Guide

"Ecological Housekeeper" Intelligent Maintenance Management System

Synergizing Ancient and Modern Construction Management

The management of large-scale EPC projects faces two primary challenges: dealing with a diverse range of specialties and establishing effective linkages between design and engineering. In the Tangshan Garden Expo project, there are four main categories and over twenty sub-specialties, leading to numerous consortia and subcontracting units. To ensure project quality within a constrained timeframe, it is crucial to excel in "dual comprehensive planning" in management. This entails not only coordinating drawings across various professional stages but also organizing construction in both temporal and spatial dimensions.

Each phase of the project encompasses distinct specialties

In the Tangshan Garden Expo project, ZEHO ECO transcended departmental confines by assembling personnel from relevant departments to form an on-site project team. This team was responsible for making unified arrangements and decisions for diverse tasks. Simultaneously, designers, engineers, budgeters, and procurement personnel collaborated closely, developing a comprehensive profit plan based on construction outcomes, market material prices, and the distinctive construction technology characteristics of various professional teams. This approach ensures both quality and rational profit returns.

Seamless Integration of Design and Construction

Jin Guilong emphasized that the Tangshan Garden Expo Park Ancient Architecture Exhibition Park represents a successful exploration and implementation, seamlessly blending traditional cultural heritage with modern technological innovation. The project not only showcases garden art and preserves technical heritage but also cultivates a green, livable humanistic environment. It serves as a catalyst, capturing the collective attention and pursuit of society towards a harmonious living environment, while also embodying Tangshan's urban transformation commitment to sustainable, green development.