JTP’s vision was to create a place that strengthens local identity and enhances the town’s image, while attracting businesses and visitors, supporting the local economy and fostering community pride.

The square is composed as a ‘Jiugong Grid’ with four distinctive character areas inspired by Liubu’s native landscape: fields, orchards, mountains and springs. The ‘fields’ capture that linearity and regularity of agricultural land; the ‘orchards’ are an active space with vibrant colours and edible landscape; the ‘mountains’ are inspired by the terraced landscape, the wind and clouds; and the ‘springs’ is the versatile, interactive event space in the centre of the square – which will host seasonal activities such as summer music festivals and winter ice rinks.

Four landmark gates punctuate the square and form a cultural loop. These gates are based on the five traditional Chinese elements: ‘Water’ the contemporary gate; ‘Fire’ the future gate; ‘Wood’ the eastern gate; and ‘Gold’ the western gate.