Project Info
Twin 34 story towers at the edge of the Xiangjiang River in the new CBD.
Client
Hunan Yinjian Binjiang Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Location
Changsha, China
Building
85.000 m2
Completion
2020
Project Description
A unique window wall expression was created for this twin tower development in order to articulate the towers with a skin that enhances their overall visual height. Vertical lines on a slender tower will draw the eye up to the sky and give the building a slender, graceful appearance.
The window wall is made up of a series of asymmetrical aluminum fins that utilize two different tones on opposite sides to strengthen their expression. The contrast between the angles of the fins combined with their two-tone color creates a vertical tower expression without using opaque materials that may block the engaging views of the river and surrounding area. As a result, the interior explodes with expansive floor to ceiling and wall to wall uninterrupted views in all directions. Refuge levels and core functions are marked by the compositional metal grills that punctuate the facade.
The fin expression is reversed at the center of each side of the building and separated by a vertical metal band leading to the decorative top structure of the tower that creates a focal point to the overall verticality of the tower. It is highlighted by a large-scaled cutout corner. The corner as well as the sloped metal surface behind the glass parapet will glow as a beacon at night. The company logo is featured in the composition of elements that cap each tower giving unique prominence to the major building tenants. Aside from the obvious power of dividing the towers into two similar structures, the similar window wall and the impact of the skyline treatment will create a new striking landmark in the new Changsha CBD.
The podium of the twin towers is designed to set back from the plaza in order to allow the verticality of the form and structure of the towers to be prominent and apparent. The overall expression of the architecture is intended to be an elegant and well detailed backdrop with highly detailed unique elements to draw attention.
Internally, the podium is organized into two sets of mostly open rectangular tenant spaces that are highly flexible in organization to accommodate nearly any use imaginable. The northeast rectangular tenant space has been reserved for Guangfa bank on the lower two floors. The upper floor on this side may be a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and possible rooftop access. The western rectangular podium lease space is open to any possible tenancy. The first two levels at the north end may be a second bank while food and beverage and service retail can fill the remaining area as well as the entire third floor.
The square proportion of the riverside plaza has been overlaid with dynamic landscape and hardscape elements to extend the park-like atmosphere though all areas of the project. The coffee shop and restaurant pavilion that is placed at the southwest corner of the plaza conceals the parking ramp while becoming a street level focal point. This pavilion anchors one corner of the plaza and organizes the entrances to the plaza. The pavilion is set into an arcing grass berm that buffers the traffic to the east and leads pedestrians deep into the southern view corridor park.
A long graceful shallow pool is stretched along one edge of the main plaza bringing an elegant focus to the tall glass tower lobbies that face it. The water also creates a meaningful, calming threshold between the plaza and street activity and the tower entrances. Manicured low groundcover in various colors tuck into the tower base as well as surround the seating areas. Well placed trees give shade and provide a visible path to follow through the park-like setting.
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