Steven Holl Architects has been commissioned to design a new 26,000 sm hybrid building of offices and retail for CIFI Group in Beijing. The mixed-use complex will be Steven Holl Architects’ second building in Beijing. The design for the hybrid building is based on five central points:
• Light
• Structure
• Urban Porosity and Gardens
• Open Offices
• Ecology and Gardens
Varying qualities of light give this office and retail building a unique geometry and shape dynamic spaces. The north light curves — in response to code setback requirements — provide soft and evenly diffused light to the interiors on the upper floors. On the south facade, sculpted cuts bring light to the office spaces and to retail below grade. The north light curves will be developed together with Okalux.
The structure consists of four layers: a glass exterior laid over truss, secondary tubes, and an interior layer of translucent barrisol or newmat. The exterior concrete structure helps to allow for flexibility in interior space. The top levels of the building will house flexible open office space. The aluminum-painted concrete will be OSB formed, contrasting the smooth, matte finish of the north light curves.The retail at grade is shaped around reflecting pools and gardens, giving the building an inspiring urban porosity and a pedestrian-friendly scale.
Rainwater recycling in the pools and state-of-the-art ecological systems are envisioned to amplify the sustainable quality of the building. The new building will be located in Fengtai, Beijing, and will be Steven Holl Architects’ second mixed-use building in the city. The 2.3 million square foot Linked Hybrid complex opened in 2009 and was named “Best Tall Building” by the CTBUH the same year. Source and images Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects.