safdie architects completes second phase of habitat '67-inspired project in qinhuangdao

A Vision drawn from Habitat ’67

Safdie Architects has successfully completed the second phase of Habitat Qinhuangdao, a high-density residential project located along the Bohai Sea in Qinhuangdao, China. This expansion more than doubles the size of the initial phase, which was unveiled in 2016, bringing the total number of residential units to over 1,800. With over forty acres of public gardens, terraces, and recreational spaces, the development sets a new standard for urban living and a vibrant community to China. See designboom’s coverage of the project’s first phase here!

The design draws inspiration from Habitat ’67, a pioneering urban housing project created by Moshe Safdie for the 1967 World Exposition in Montreal. Habitat ’67 was revolutionary in its approach to high-density housing, focusing on providing natural light, ventilation, and green space to create humane living conditions. More than five decades later, Habitat Qinhuangdao demonstrates that these principles are scalable and adaptable to contemporary urban needs.

images © Shao Feng, courtesy Safdie Architects

safdie architects designs for connectivity and outdoor space

In this second phase, the team at Safdie Architects has organized Habitat Qinhuangdao into a series of stacked sixteen-story residential blocks that are offset and arranged around lush gardens. These blocks are linked by skybridges on the 18th and 33rd floors, creating a network of connections across the site. The stepped and staggered forms of the buildings provide private terraces, balconies, and solariums for residents while creating large ‘urban windows’ that open view corridors between the city and the Bohai Sea.

‘The demand for quality multi-family housing in China’s growing cities has allowed us to apply the principles that informed Habitat ’67 at a greater density. By breaking down the megascale, Habitat Qinhuangdao is a model for high-density housing where the amenities surpass that of the typical high-rise complex without sacrificing the structure’s efficiency or humanity,’ said Moshe Safdie, Founding Partner of Safdie Architects.

Safdie Architects completes second phase of habitat qinhuangdao, doubling the size of the development

linking Nature and Community in Qinhuangdao

The buildings of Habitat Qinhuangdao are oriented by Safdie Architects to capture sunlight, with long elevations facing east, west, and south. North-facing interiors receive natural light filtered through the urban windows, ensuring the spaces are bright, airy, and open. This careful attention to natural light and ventilation enhances the overall quality of life for residents, providing a refreshing contrast to the typical high-rise housing found in many urban environments.

At the heart of Habitat Qinhuangdao is its extensive network of gardens and public spaces. The development includes a variety of intensively planted parks, each designed to celebrate the natural landscape of Qinhuangdao while offering opportunities for both passive and active recreation. These spaces include adventure playgrounds, a landscaped amphitheater, planted promenades, and water features, all aimed at creating a lively and engaging environment for residents.

Habitat Qinhuangdao now includes over 1,800 residential units along the Bohai Sea

The skybridges that connect the residential blocks also offer unique outdoor spaces, including community gardens and pools with sweeping views of the sea, city, and sky. This approach to outdoor living helps foster a sense of community, while giving residents access to nature in their everyday lives.

‘In Kerry Properties we had an ambitious client who saw how our design philosophy would resonate with the local culture and context. When you stagger and offset units from one another, stepping the buildings away from the sea, you create beautiful terraces that make each unit feel like a penthouse. The project is simultaneously visually intriguing and inherently rational,’ explained Sean Scensor, Senior Partner and project lead at Safdie Architects.

the design is inspired by Moshe Safdie’s Habitat ’67, emphasizing daylight, ventilation, and outdoor spaces

skybridges at the 18th and 33rd floors connect the residential blocks and offer communal outdoor spaces

urban windows create view corridors between the city and the sea, enhancing natural light

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project info:

name: Habitat Qinhuangdao

design architect: Safdie Architects | @safdiearchitects

client: Kerry Properties Limited

photography: © Shao Feng | @shaofengap

partners: Moshe Safdie, Charu Kokate, Sean Scensor, Chris Mulvey, Warren Mathison

design team: David Orens (Project Director), Benjy Lee, Carrie Yoon, Daniel Cho, David Brooks, Fred Kim, Lusha Wainford, Michael Guran, Nan Xiang, Paige Mader, Shiyun Qian, Ye Yang

local design institute: China Shanghai Architectural Design & Research Institute Co. Ltd, Shanghai

general contractor: China Railway Group Limited

facade consultant: Phase I — Konstruct Partners, Hong Kong Phase II — AECOM

facade design institute: Zhe Jiang Zhong Nan Construction Group Co. Ltd

interior designers: Phase I – BC&A International Ltd., Hong Kong; YASHA Decoration Co., Ltd.; Phase II – QUAD (Lobby Interiors); Yang and Associates Group, Shenzhen (Unit Interiors)