Soong Cultural Park

The Soong Family Ancestral Home, where Charles (Charlie) Jones Soong , father of The Soong Sisters, was born and spent his childhood, is an important historical and cultural heritage of Wenchang, Hainan. A cultural park established in an area of 25 hectares surrounding the home preserves this significant site.

LOCATION: Wenchang, Hainan , China

CLIENT: Soong Family

SIZE: 25 Hectares

STATUS: Masterplan Completed 2011

The major building groups of the cultural park are the visitor center, the Soong Family Gallery and the research center, together forming a triangle with the Ancestral Home in the center. In the Soong Family Gallery, the life history of Charlie Soong, his wife and his six children are holistically documented and displayed. The display content was gathered by experts in the field with the generous support of the Soong family descendants in the U.S.

In the Cultural zone, the team conceived of a landscaped seaside cultural entertainment area that anchors a lively civic park for Dongfang’s iconic lighthouse monument. Within this park the proposed uses are for an exhibition theater and e-sports station complex, indoor retail complex, oceanic aquarium and a vibrant food hall. All are designed with an organic architecture that integrates with the undulating landscape emanating from the landmark tower.

The park’s existing natural woods have been strategically preserved, and new landscape and waterscape serve to further enhance the existing environment. The park also serves as a venue for events such as music performances, cultural symposiums and art exhibitions.

The hope is for the nearby village to be refurbished and made into farmhouse restaurants which will serve seasonal local food. In the last phase of the project, small hotel villas will be built to offer overnight accommodations.