Novotown
In November 2016, designs were unveiled by Aedas for a new cultural and entertainment complex called Novotown.
Located at the heart of Henggin Island in Zhuhai, China, the project is intended to become a major tourist destination and a cultural-creative hub for southeast Asia.
The complex takes the form of an open hand, with three towers as fingers and a central courtyard in the 'bowl' of the palm. According to Aedas, they drew on the open palm concept to imply that 'we grasp the past, present and future in the palm of our hands', as well as symbolising the 'passing on of the Chinese culture'.
At the podium level, the 120,000 sq. m cultural and entertainment complex features a shopping mall, a multi-purpose hall, a wedding pavilion and a healthcare and beauty centre. The three towers are the 490-room Hengqin Hyatt Regency Hotel, a 52,000 sq. m office tower and a cultural workshop tower.
In addition, there will be two indoor themed attractions – the National Geographic Ultimate Explorer and the Lionsgate Entertainment World .
Zhuhai Hengqin Laisun Creative Culture City have entered into a partnership with Village Roadshow Theme Parks to create the first themed immersive experience for the Hollywood studio Lionsgate. Spread across 22,000 sq. m, the centre will feature attractions, retail and dining experiences themed around some of Lionsgate's most popular film franchises, such as 'The Hunger Games'.
A tentative completion date for the project is set for 2018.
You can find out more about Novotown here.
Images courtesy of Aedas.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.