web analytics
ABOUT US
Ideation charrette for mixed-use redevelopment in Xi'an, China.

Ideation Charrette for Mixed-use Redevelopment

With a major Xi’an-based development company, we convened a several-day ideation charrette for mixed-use redevelopment of a land assembly in Xi’an, China.   The core focus of the session was property at Shaanxi Weiyang Lake, a unique water body in metropolitan Xi’an.   The Xi’an prefecture’s Weiyang District is one of 11 urban districts of in Xi’an, which is the capital city of Shaanxi Province in Northwest China.

 

This project ideation charrette for mixed-use redevelopment included the client’s development team (Shirong Investments, the Xi’an World Financial Group, and its affiliates) and additional location-based entertainment consultants based in China.   In addition to the site’s physical development potential and market factors, the charrette also included consideration of the PRC’s national tourism strategy, PRC statistical tourism data, Xi’an’s cultural identify, and likely changes in PRC strategies for preferred in-country travel destinations.   As part of the process, the charrette team toured shopping districts, cultural areas, existing tourism destinations, and the sites for expected competitive offerings.

 

The Xi’an region is known to many for its archaeological sites situated outside the core metro area, including Bingmayong (the “Terra Cotta Army”), where thousands of life-size, hand-molded figures were discovered buried with Qin Shi Huang – the first emperor of China.   Xi’an was also a major departure point for the Silk Road, a network of caravan routes that in ancient times connected China with countries in the Mediterranean and greater Europe.

 

This is an update to a previously posted article.

Concept Design for Mystery Trail, in forested setting near Beijing, China.

Concept Design for Mystery Trail

Concept design for mystery trail, in a forested setting, as part of location-based entertainment programming at mixed-use regional center.   The densely-planted forest is the format for a small “pocket park” situated at or about a “river walk” within this destination project.  All manner of technologies and audience show theatrics are part of the forested Mystery Trail.    Like all parts of the project, the Forest Mystery Trail is a beautiful place, with the breeze carrying the smells of flowers and the woods, along with programmed experiential aromatics.

 

We envision this to be a mysterious forest of spirits, a place of curious circumstances and puzzles to be contemplated and solved – a cognitive trail for all areas.   An alternative for such an area in exploration may be a “sculpture garden” featuring highly creative kinetic works of national and international sculptures.

 

Posted information and images regarding this assignment are limited at client’s request.  This concept design for mystery trail was prepared as part of our experiential design consultant input to project master planning.

 

Prepared by China Fortune Land Development at Guangyang Town Center.  At one time, CFLD was among the largest industrial and commercial real estate developers in China.  This article reposted from prior version.

 

 

Concept Design for Mystery Trail

The forested Mystery Trail at Guangyang Town Center, in concepting.

 

Most U.S. Halloween Attractions Will Operate this season.

Most U.S. Halloween Attractions Will Operate, Among Top 100

AEC’s Consumer Products Monitor

 

Most U.S. Halloween attractions will operate this season, according to a survey of the top 100 highly-ranked Halloween attractions in the U.S.  In fact, many have already commenced operations for the season, albeit with careful safety and distancing protocols given the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The survey of attractions noted when each of these top annual offerings were established, which for many may be a surprise.  Most of the popular Halloween attractions in each region were established many years ago, indicating their substantial role in what is an $8.8 billion industry (2019).  CNN reported in 2019 that 172 million celebrated the Halloween season.   Given the contribution of this popular consumer out-of-home activity, it is not surprising that most of these U.S. Halloween attractions will operate this season.

 

The national survey was completed by The Horror Company for AEC’s Consumer Products Monitor.  Attractions were identified based upon the research team’s personal experience at various attractions, along with ratings from popular Halloween, horror, and haunt websites which review such seasonal attractions.

Themed Entertainment Consultants - The Horror Company product line - Halloween attractions that will operate this season.
A haunted hayride themed attraction in early ideation; a product of AEC's The Horror Company.

Feature Film Promotion – LBE Activation

aec    Confidential Client  |  Initial conceptual design for immersive exhibit about the Apollo space program, intended for travel to museums, science centers, and major shopping malls.  Illustration work shown here is a product of aec‘s Rapid Prototyping Unit, combining feasibility results with preliminary project scaling, layout, and overall guest experiential design – created to assist Ownership group in confirming design intent and project budgets.

 

Posted information and images regarding this assignment is limited at client’s request.

 

 

 

Contact us for more information, we'll enjoy hearing from you.