Ring of Life

The Ring of Life (simplified chinese: 生命之环; pinyin: shēngmìng zhī huán) is a 515-foot (157 m) landmark built in the city of Fushun, China.[1]

Ring of Life - Fushun, Liaoning - taken 30 January 2014.

The landmark is built with an observation deck accessible by elevator, as well as 12,000 LED lights.[2] Having abandoned local entertainment projects due to the small local population, urban planners settled on building a sightseeing landmark instead in order to attract a tourist industry to the region.[3] The structure uses approximately 3,000 tons of steel and cost an estimated $16M U.S. dollars.[4]

History

In May 2009, Entertainment Designer Gary Goddard (and his firm, the Goddard Group), was engaged by Fushun Economic Development Area Administration Committee to master plan 2 square kilometers of a new 22-square kilometer city being developed near Shenyang, China. Goddard had come to their attention while working on the nearby Dream World theme park in Fushun, China.[5]

Goddard and his team developed many concepts and ideas for the new city, including shopping districts, recreation zones, and ultimately an iconic centerpiece, the Ring of Life.[6]

Following the Concept Design phase, in January 2010 the Goddard Group was engaged to continue with the project, including the Schematic Design phase of the Ring of Life.

The Goddard Group design team included Igor Knezevic, Larry Nelson, Branislav Hetzel, Steve Trowbridge, Greg Pro, Sevak Petrosian, Taylor Jeffs, Nathaniel West and Ed Borrego. In addition, Foster Conant was engaged to provide Landscape Design, while Selbert Perkins created the signage and graphics for the overall city and ring itself.

While the Phase 1 of Shenfu New Town would not be complete until Spring of 2013, news of the ring spread around the world in November 2012 when construction photos surfaced. In its initial stages the building was used as a bungee jumping attraction, however this has since stopped and is now simply a sightseeing attraction.[7] The structure has been likened to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.[8]

Reception

The Ring of Life has received a mixed-to-positive reaction in the media. The Huffington Post called it "stunning", and National Geographic listed a photo of the ring amongst their "Best of September (2012)".[9][10]

References
  1. "Fushun, China : Curbed National". Curbed.com. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  2. "The Ring of Life: 500-foot steel ring built in Chinese city of Fushun | BelleNews.com, Latest News". Bellenews.com. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  3. "'Ring of Life' Lights Up Fushun". English.cri.cn. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  4. "Iron ring-shaped building 'Ring of Life' spotted in Fushun, Liaoning - What's On Dalian". Whatsondalian.com. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  5. "Parkworld Magazine November 2011". Content.yudu.com. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  6. "Construction begins on latest Goddard Group project « Amusement Today | Your Amusement Industry NEWS Source". Amusementtoday.com. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  7. (What are these?) (17 October 2012). "The Goddard Group Announces News of Themed Entertainment Projects for IAAPA 2012". Blooloop.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  8. "Is This China's St. Louis Arch Rip-Off? | FOX2now.com – St. Louis News & Weather from KTVI Television FOX2". Fox2now.com. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  9. 15/11/2012 19:29 GMT Updated: 16/11/2012 06:28 GMT. "Pictures Of The Day Live: 16th November 2012". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  10. "Pictures We Love: Best of September". News.nationalgeographic.com. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.

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