Benoy to design Haitang Bay centre

Global design studio Benoy has been chosen to provide masterplan and architectural design services for a new mixed use development in Haitang Bay, Hainan.

The project, Benoy’s first in the popular island tourist destination, is the new China International Travel Service (CITS) Sanya Eyot scheme.

The CITS Sanya Eyot development is located in the new resort area of Haitang Bay in Sanya. Rising as a high-end tourism destination, the area attracts visitors from around the world as a result of its world-class yachting community, international luxury hotel cluster and unspoiled natural assets.

The scheme will introduce a 32,000 sqm  mixed-use, retail-led destination which will be differentiated from the traditional retail projects currently in Haitang Bay. Benoy’s Masterplan has prescribed strategies for celebrating the island landscape, placemaking and multi-layered environments, to establish a point of difference for this high-profile future scheme.

“Benoy is incredibly excited to be working with CITS on their future addition for Haitang Bay and crafting a vision for what this development can offer. Through our design, we have aimed to embody the coastal landscape and develop a concept not yet seen before in this area,” said Chao Wu, a Benoy director.

“Our team has brought new thinking to the retail, entertainment, cultural and art experiences within the development. Our Masterplan is animated by vibrant spaces and offset by quieter zones and there is significant diversity in the programmatic mix to ensure we arouse interest and appeal to a large visitor base.”

Benoy’s design will feature a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces which will host a multitude of activities including art, water shows, cultural performances, recreational attractions, wellness programs, children’s zones and possibly a wedding chapel.

Taking inspiration from Sanya’s local fauna, the Egretta Garzetta formed the concept behind the architecture of the development; the sweeping architectural lines mimic the graceful movement of the birds.

The architecture also prioritises human-scale within the development with a number of small-scale blocks and pavilions designed along the waterfront edge. The collection of forms and differing façade treatments complement the faceted landscape and will add interest and variety to the visitor experience.

The CITS Sanya Eyot scheme will commence construction in early 2016 and is due for completion at the end of 2018.