A layered vertical park vision transforms a Chengdu riverside site into an integrated residential and civic community.

Redefining Vertical Living Along the River Fu

CLOU architects’ Tianfu Sihe Park Community is situated in Chengdu’s Tianfu New District, 400 metres from Sihe MTR Station on Line 1 and adjacent to the Fu River. Conceived as a model for the Tianfu Park City initiative, the development brings together residential, commercial and civic functions within a three-dimensional urban park. Across three interconnected plots, the 142,900 square metre site integrates housing, retail and public infrastructure with a layered green system, setting a benchmark for future mixed-use neighbourhoods in Chengdu.

Urban Setting and Strategy

Tianfu Sihe Park Community is located in a strategic node of the Tianfu New District, one of Chengdu’s fastest-growing development zones. With direct access to Tianfu Avenue and Line 1 of the metro network, the site is positioned as a pioneer of the city’s Park City vision. The development occupies a total site area of 56,730 square metres, distributed across three parcels. The gross floor area across the three plots totals over 242,000 square metres, with a maximum plot ratio of 4.

Integrated Urban Fabric

At the heart of the masterplan is a commitment to everyday community life. Alongside new homes and retail spaces, the design includes a rich network of civic amenities to support residents’ needs. Public facilities such as a farmer’s market, community centre, public toilets, and transport services are carefully integrated to make the neighbourhood convenient, social, and self-sufficient. Dedicated resettlement housing ensures that existing residents remain part of the community as it grows.

Layered Landscape System

CLOU’s proposal envisions a vertical park system inspired by the sequence of mountain, forest, farmland, and river. Residential towers rise from a podium that is covered by a high-level public park, which in turn rests on ground-level retail and landscape. Between the towers, sky bridges connect elevated green decks to encourage interaction and improve connectivity. The multilevel system provides distinct park experiences: the Ground Park for all users, a semi-public High Park above the podium, and private Sky Parks and Sky Playgrounds for residents.

Architecture as Urban Interface

The podium is designed as an open, accessible plinth that hosts commercial areas, civic spaces and entrances to the residential buildings. Generous staircases, public escalators and open passages invite pedestrian movement through the site. The design fosters a continuous connection between indoor and outdoor environments, with visual transparency and integration of vegetation into every level.

Public Realm and Accessibility

The project promotes non-vehicular accessibility, providing 700 non-automotive parking spaces in addition to 777 for vehicles. A minimum greening ratio of 25% and a low building density of 20–35% help ensure spatial quality and environmental performance. Public programming and elevated open spaces ensure long-term social vitality while serving the everyday needs of residents and the wider community.