Xi’an’s New Landmark: Heatherwick Studio Blends Vertical Gardens with Traditional Tilework
In the city of Xi’an, home to the famous Terracotta Warriors, a striking new building is transforming the city’s appearance. The architectural firm Heatherwick Studio, based in London and known for their creative major projects, has just revealed their latest work: the Xi’an Centre Culture Business District (CCBD). This massive development, covering 155,000 square meters, cleverly combines traditional Chinese culture with modern architectural design.
The project celebrates Xi’an’s historic connection to ceramics, featuring over 100,000 specially designed and glazed tiles that cover the building’s exterior walls, columns, and curved beams. Working with local tile experts, Heatherwick Studio created numerous test pieces to achieve just the right blend of colors and textures. The tiles aren’t just for looking at—visitors are welcome to feel them, creating an interactive experience.
Thomas Heatherwick, who founded the studio, explains their approach: “We wanted to create something more than just separate buildings—we saw a chance to design an unexpected three-dimensional urban landscape.”
This vision comes to life in a space that smoothly combines shops, offices, homes, and green areas across different levels. Instead of separate buildings, the structures flow together to create what Heatherwick describes as “an extraordinary new piece of public space.”
At the heart of the development stands the Xi’an Tree, a 57-meter-tall vertical garden that serves as both a visual centerpiece and an ecological showcase. Its 56 elevated “petals” each support their own layered gardens. People can explore different plant environments inspired by the Silk Road’s varied landscapes—from arctic-like settings to grasslands—while taking in views of Xi’an. The Xi’an Tree isn’t just an engineering achievement; it’s a living display of urban plant diversity.
The CCBD has become a new symbol of Xi’an, with a silhouette that draws inspiration from Chinese temple architecture, honoring the city’s rich history. The design focuses on human experience too, with paths, viewpoints, and secluded courtyards to discover, plus thoughtful details like glazed elevator buttons and wooden handrails carved by hand.
Partner Mat Cash notes, “Large developments often feel overwhelming and lack personality. We wanted to give this project the character and texture that naturally develops in cities over time.”
Since opening in December 2024, the Xi’an CCBD has been praised for successfully blending historical elements with modern use, feeling more like a natural extension of Xi’an than a separate business district. This combination of heritage and innovation makes the CCBD a potential model for future urban projects worldwide.
The Xi’an CCBD does more than change the city’s appearance—it offers a new vision of urban life. By respecting cultural heritage, emphasizing human-scale design, and incorporating nature, Heatherwick Studio has shown how large developments can maintain strong connections to their historical roots. This architectural achievement is set to become an integral part of Xi’an’s identity as the city continues to evolve.