The masterplan, along 32 km of coastline, will bring long term vitality and culture to the island’s north shore, enriching the community, while remaining sympathetic to its history and natural beauty. All 16 pavilions are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
The city government of Haikou has appointed Weng Ling, founder of Arts China Union as lead curator. The public access pavilions will span a 19.6 km coastline in Haikou Bay and 12.5 km coastline in Jiangdong New Area.
Architectural participants include Bjarke Ingels (BIG), Kengo Kuma, Ong-ard Satrabhandhu, Patrik Schumacher (Zaha Hadid Architects), Sou Fujimoto, Stefano Boeri, Thomas Heatherwick, Winy MAAS (MVRDV), Liu Jiakun, Ma Yansong (MAD), and Zhu Xiaodi.
Participating artists include Anish Kapoor, Sakamoto Ryūichi, Shen Wei, Kimsooja, Lin Tianmiao, Xue Song, Yang Fudong, Zhang Peili, and design team AHA, with support from emerging architects such as Jaeho Chong, Li Ruoxin, and Liu Shuo.
The participants were encouraged to create distinct and functional cultural pavilions along the natural coastlines covering a total area of more than 10,000 sq m of wetland area. Each pavilion will function as an independent space, hosting cultural activities and attracting urban life.
In June 2020, China introduced a master plan for transforming Hainan Province, an island at the southernmost point of China best known for its tropical climate and abundant coastal resorts, into a free trade port by the middle of the century.