A groundbreaking architectural project in Kunming, China, has successfully reimagined the traditional concept of a street market by creating a dual-purpose space that serves both commercial and recreational functions. Studio D'Arkwave's "Market of Vibrant Buffer" project, completed in 2021, addresses the common challenge of market spaces lying idle for significant portions of the day by introducing an innovative "Park + Market" concept that maximizes land use efficiency.
The 1,434-square-meter project is located on the flat hilltop of Jinfang in Anning, where Kunming's largest "Jiezi" - a traditional street market - takes place daily. In Yunnan province, a Jiezi represents more than just a trading space; it serves as a vital gathering place where villagers and urban residents converge for both commerce and social interaction. However, like many traditional markets worldwide, this bustling hub remains active for only half the day, creating an opportunity for architectural innovation.
Lead architects Shane Wu and Tang Mengzhe developed a revolutionary approach that allows the same ground to serve different roles over time. During trading hours, the space functions as a vibrant marketplace with stalls organized according to a precise 3-meter grid system that ensures clarity and operational flexibility. When market activities cease, the area seamlessly transforms into a public park where the community can enjoy leisure activities, walking paths, and children's play areas.
The architectural solution centers around a continuous platform that physically and conceptually links the market and park functions. The ground floor houses market stalls alongside administrative offices and exhibition spaces, while the roof forms a stepped park and terrace specifically designed for community activities. This multi-level approach maximizes the utility of the available space while maintaining the distinct character of each function.
A defining feature of the project is its perforated steel canopy, which provides essential shade and shelter while establishing a distinctive visual identity for the site. The canopy system uses carefully calculated hole density and spacing to control daylight transmission, effectively reducing glare and heat gain - crucial considerations for both market vendors and park users in the region's climate.
The design philosophy of temporal sharing represents a sophisticated response to the site's unique position at the edge of urban and rural areas. Rather than creating separate spaces for different activities, the architects chose to organize uses by time, avoiding all-day occupation by any single function. This approach not only maximizes land efficiency but also creates a truly shared civic ground that serves the broader community.
The second level of the structure functions as a roof platform designed for waiting and short stays, connecting directly to side steps that maintain separate pedestrian flows from the market activities below. A single metal shading frame covers the platform, market area, and steps, creating a continuous protective system that unifies the various functional zones while providing essential weather protection.
The market's organizational system follows strict design principles that prioritize both functionality and flexibility. Fixed stalls align precisely with temporary tent stalls on both sides, creating one continuous operating surface under the same protective roof. The 3-meter grid system ensures that vendors can easily adapt their spaces to different merchandise requirements while maintaining visual coherence throughout the market area.
Environmental considerations played a crucial role in the design process. Trees strategically placed throughout the site provide additional shaded areas, while benches support basic waiting and resting functions. The architects deliberately chose a simple build-up approach that prioritizes maintenance-friendly solutions, ensuring the project's long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.
The canopy construction utilizes perforated metal sheets mounted on a lightweight secondary frame, with sheets hung below the purlins to create a continuous soffit. This technical approach not only provides uniform weather protection but also creates interesting light patterns that change throughout the day, adding visual interest to both market and park experiences.
This innovative project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can extend the vitality of traditional spaces beyond their conventional operating hours. By proposing a model where the same ground serves different communities at different times, Studio D'Arkwave has created a template for sustainable urban development that respects cultural traditions while addressing contemporary spatial efficiency needs.
