The Fresh Air Network

Typology

Waterbus network, public bridge, terminal and kindergarten​ and

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Location 

Lanzhou, China​

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Area

40,000m2

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Materials

Steel + concrete

Project Type

Masters Thesis​

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Year 

2017

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In 2015 the World Health Organisation named Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu province, China’s most air polluted city. The Fresh Air Network investigates how city infrastructure, a common cause of air pollution, might be used to mitigate it.

The Fresh Air Network explores how inter-city transport infrastructure can be designed to improve health and well being in one of China’s most polluted cities, through the design of a waterbus system and central terminal. The Fresh Air Network aims to bring life back to the river and reduce overall vehicular  pollution in Lanzhou. Collectively, the terminals create a chain of oases, using water and local algae cultures to filter pollution, providing clean air for travellers and a healthier way to traverse the city.  The ‘Central West Terminal’ is an exemplar for the rest of the network. The terminal links two sides of the river to create a common space for the city, housing hybrid programs to support physical and mental health with a focus towards the age groups most  vulnerable to air pollution.