(Handout via Xinhua Daily)

The 11th Zijin Award of Architectural & Environmental Art Contest concluded its finals on January 6, drawing designers and students from 91 cities across eight countries.

Public spaces serve as the "living rooms" of a city, contributing to socializing, workouts and entertainment, which are vital for enhancing the quality of life.

Entries showcased innovative designs focusing on new technologies, such as AI smart blocks and virtual reality experience centers, alongside updates to traditional infrastructure, including power substations and fire stations. New facility designs like energy supply centers and logistics spaces catering to the low-altitude economy were also presented in the competition.

Young designers displayed their creativity, including the team from Hunan University led by Zhu Chunlin who won the gold award in the student category. Their project proposed integrating green spaces and recreational activities into the underutilized rooftops of old communities, which not only enhanced the ecological value of the buildings but also facilitated resident interaction.

Led by Pei Xiaoming, a team from Nanjing Yangtze River Urban Architectural Design Co., Ltd., revitalized a 400-meter-long narrow corridor at the New City Square in Nanjing. Their design transformed a previously "gray zone" into a vibrant "positive space" with a green valley that changes views as one moves, clinching the gold award in the professional category.

This edition also focused on delivering custom-designed solutions that respond to local needs, helping design teams turn their ideas into reality. There were 16 entries dedicated to a small park in Nanjing’s Xuanwu District, making it the most popular design unit of the competition.