Located in the popular tourist destination of Sanya on Hainan Island, China, this new mixed use development for Sunshine Insurance Group lies at the southern tip of the island at Sanya Bay. Comprising hotel, office and a retail podium, the 105,000 m², 157 metre-high tower offers a vibrant civic identity and new icon for the Sanya skyline.
The project aims to offer significant value – both to the development and to its urban surroundings – and to reflect the strength of Sunshine Insurance Group’s brand identity. “Drawing upon similar design cues between the two projects based on the client’s aesthetic preference, the tower in Sanya evolves into a simplistic yet elegant form, which is then elaborately clad throughout with curved vertical fins,” explains an Francisco Principal Surjanto.
“Early master plan concept sketches honing in on the idea of a ‘string of pearls’ survived multiple rounds of design iteration and this concept has been executed through a series of connecting landscape elements and retail islands. Intensely coordinated efforts across our studios enabled the design team to bring their unique level of expertise to the table – a process that greatly benefitted the client with a high level finished product.”
Using the ‘string of pearls’ as inspiration, the design features a series of diverse gardens, water elements and gathering spaces strung together along with retail islands and the singular iconic tower. The main axis of the project features pedestrian paths that connect and integrate the retail and office experience with the plaza.Activated landscaped public plazas, interconnecting breezeways, screened balconies with dramatic views, green roof terraces and workplace garden atriums all connect life, work and play in a dynamic setting that infuses the needs of urban experience with the beauty of nature.
“This landmark building has been closely integrated with local culture and climatic conditions, coupled with a unique building facade and landscape crafted to re-define Sanya’s skyline and create a sustainable, community-focused lifestyle destination,” says Tao Wu, Beijing Senior Associate and Project Manager. Sunshine Insurance Finance Plaza is due for completion by the end of 2016. Source by Woods Bagot.