The Suzhou Center is a landmark urban space within the Suzhou Central Business District that embodies the spirit of the city of Suzhou as a gateway for intersecting old and new cultural and historic heritage. The successful combination of high density development and ecological conservation will allow for Suzhou to transition to a garden city where the state-of-the-art sustainable development measures will become a paragon for responsible urban development. Through consistent planning of public open spaces and the high-quality landscape around the Jinji Lake, the urban landscape of the Central Business District will be seamlessly linked to the waterfront open spaces in order to create a unique environment in which natural greenery is in harmony with the urban setting. The design provides outdoor recreational spaces to facilitate the interaction and communication among between people and their environment, and to create an urban center that serves residents and visitors alike.
Work attributed to SWA/Balsley principal John Wong and his team with SWA Group.
Pacific Design Center
Once surrounded by barren plazas and impenetrable landscapes, the Pacific Design Center’s environment and image have been dramatically transformed by a complete redesign that includes parks, plazas, water features, cafes, lighting, and graphics. A two-acre open space area along San Vicente Boulevard has been transformed into a public park and gathering space,...
250 West 55th
Intercontinental Hotel
Located in the center of the vibrant Times Square district, this new four-star hotel (one of only three in New York City) serves as the base for well-traveled tourists, businessmen and dignitaries from around the world. As a unique product of the hotel’s branding and place-making strategy, the client asked that the courtyard make a memorable first impression o...
Lanchi Aqua Garden Hotel
Thomas Balsley Associates was invited to design one of six hotel villa sites near the ancient city of Xi’an. Collaborating with Joel Sanders Architect, the design draws inspiration from the lifestyle and design principles of traditional Chinese gardens. Like these ancient private retreats, this hotel site is also organized around a series of landscaped courtya...