CROX Designs the Longquan Well Cultural Center in Chengdu’s Science Park

Architecture studio CROX has completed the Longquan Well Cultural Center as part of a vast science and technology campus near Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan province. Home to over 240 firms, the Chengdu Science and Technology Industry Incubation Park sits in the Tianfu New District, about 30 kilometers south of the city center.

As a new hub for health-tech companies, the park sought an architectural landmark that could embody innovation while offering a gathering space for collaboration. In 2014, CROX was commissioned to design a cultural center that would symbolize connection and creativity.

A Design Inspired by Nature and Myth

The concept draws from an ancient Chinese legend — the emperor’s worship of the Longquan Well. The architects reinterpreted this story through a design that mirrors the motion and purity of water, creating a structure that feels alive and reflective.

The white, sculptural building spans four levels — including a basement and an accessible roof terrace — with a façade punctured by teardrop-shaped windows, referencing flowing water and rainfall.

Spaces of Light, Water, and Reflection

At the entrance, two half-moon pools welcome visitors, while a large oval pool fills the central atrium. From the basement below, bamboo shoots rise toward the light, symbolizing growth and vitality. The subterranean level hosts exhibition areas, while the ground floor features a lobby, conference rooms, and a small gallery.

The upper levels contain additional meeting spaces, a communal area, and two offices, leading up to a roof terrace that opens panoramic views across the campus.

Sustainable Integration

The Longquan Well Cultural Center is designed to collect and store rainwater, using the pools to cool the building naturally. Greenery weaves through the architecture, reinforcing its connection to the surrounding landscape and ancient symbolism.

More than a cultural venue, the project embodies CROX’s philosophy of creating emotional, nature-driven spaces that merge art, culture, and sustainability.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a designer passionate about creating meaningful visual experiences through graphic, motion, and 3D design. Based between Berlin and Lisbon, he works across disciplines — from print and branding to digital and animation.