MAD Architects, in collaboration with the China Academy of Building Research (CASR), has won an international competition to design the Cuntan International Cruise Centre in Chongqing, China, according to an announcement.

The project will replace the existing cargo terminal that covers an area of 66,000m² in Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area.

MAD’s plan will see the construction of a 65,000m² metre international cruise terminal and city complex which will comprise a 15,000m² cruise port and 50,000m² for commercial space.

The design envisages a 430m-long complex, the Yangtze River Skywalk, which connects the six elevated orange-coloured gantry crane-inspired buildings.

From a distance, the six separate and interconnected elevated buildings appear to rise and fall like that of the industrial freight terminal cranes.

Furthermore, a new Cruise Ship Landscape Park and Cruise Ship Hall are designed by MAD beneath the floating building complex.

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A new link is also planned between the adjacent Pier Park and the Century Cuntan Park to create a 100,000m² urban green space.

MAD Architects founder Ma Yansong said: “These gantry cranes became living alien creatures that gave a sense of surrealism.

“The new scheme is therefore not only about reflecting the industrial colours of the past, but also about respecting this original surrealism.

“We have designed the elevated buildings as if they were a futuristic, free-walking city, seemingly arriving here from elsewhere and perhaps travelling elsewhere once again someday.”

The Cruise Centre Hub, which will be located underneath the Cruise Landscape Park, will provide visitors with access to the building complex and the ground-level landscape park.

The Cruise Centre’s design includes skylights to improve natural light within the interior space. It also comprises an upper cantilevered building to block direct sunlight.

Construction on the Cuntan International Cruise Centre is planned to start in November with completion scheduled by 2027.

The new scheme forms part of an initiative called the Cuntan International New Town Master Plan and the Cruise Ship Home Port Area Urban Design.

The framework aims to develop an ‘integrated ship, port, city, tourism, shopping and entertainment’ district.