TETRIS SQUARE

In this project, a low construction budget was not seen as a constraint or an embarrassment; on the contrary, it was one of the main driving forces of the design principles. The grid system of squares not only makes material fabrication and arrangement much cheaper, but also make construction costs more predictable and controllable, especially in this project where construction quality is often unpredictable. Assembled precast concrete outdoor furniture is used extensively in this project. Landscape architects designed only two basic precast concrete modules, which could be mixed and matched, and assembled into more than twenty different combinations. Users can select the most comfortable furniture combination to meet their needs, which appeals strongly to a younger user and their inclinations. Besides precast concrete furniture, landscape architects also selected precast concrete pavers for paving the site. This decision was driven by economic reasons, as the precast units are about one-third of the stone paver’s unit price in the current market, as well as for the environmental considerations, where natural stone is over-exploited in China.