Image Credit : SeilaoJiong Photography
Project Overview
Jinwan Huafa International Business Center (IBC) is a new landmark development of the Jinwan Aviation City in the coastal city of Zhuhai, China. Located at a prime waterfront site, the 172,000 sqm development is comprised of a hotel, office, serviced apartment and retail spaces in 2 high-rise towers atop a sculpted 4-storey podium. The IBC stands as a focal point and dynamic gateway of the district, drawing visitors from all directions of the city to help activate the entire area.
The design of the IBC is inspired by the district’s history as an aviation site since the 1940s. Derived from aerodynamic shapes, the elegant twin towers resemble a pair of aircraft wings. The towers are both symmetrical about a vertical axis with a soft elliptical form at each end to create an elegant profile against the sky.
Located at the northern edge of the central lake, the two towers are oriented to maximize views toward the waterfront and the public park on either side. The towers, standing in strong dialogue with each other, complement the district's notable north-south axis, framing views of the surrounding water body, coastline, and ancient mountains of Zhuhai through the centre of the site.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Jason Easter, Nick Cordingley, Lukasz Wawrzenczyk, Edmond Lau
Calvin Kwan, Grant Wood, Trupti Nilange, Muzhen Huang, Christie Li, Ken Xu, Sonja Stoffels, Vincent Fung, Joyce Lo, Marco Bonucci, Rachel Xia, Milos Zivkovic, Jon Martin, Laura Simonsen, Yasser Salomon, Peter Alsterholm, Henry Han, Serhii Zvaholskyi, Francisco Barrera
Project Brief
The IBC in Jinwan Aviation City represents a unified statement of the ongoing transition in the area, serving as a dynamic gateway and inviting public space for visitors from nearby communities and beyond. The design draws inspiration from aerodynamic flight with its twin towers, resembling aircraft wings. Symmetrical and elegant, the towers feature a soft elliptical form on each end, creating a striking profile against the sky. This design captures the essence of modern aviation while capitalizing on the waterfront and natural surroundings of Zhuhai.
Unlike the typical commercially-driven approach, the building form of the IBC plays with change and regularity in its floor plates. This creates an efficient planning envelope that caters to office, hotel, and apartment functions. The main tower, reaching a height of 210m, accommodates a 276-key Marriott Hotel on the lower section. Some hotel amenities are located within the shared podium. Above the hotel, there is Grade-A office space, while a separate 140m tower houses 512 apartment units in four types, serving as serviced apartments.
Project Innovation/Need
The project aims to maximize views towards the waterfront and public park on either side by orienting the two towers accordingly. The towers, with their strong dialogue and complementarity, enhance the district's north-south axis, framing views and bringing a pleasant breeze through the centre of the site.
The main tower, covered in a glass curtain wall, beautifully captures the dynamic hues of sunlight throughout the day. After dark, the tower activates the entire area with integrated LED lighting. On the other hand, the serviced apartment tower is distinguished by an aluminium accent frame that outlines its silhouette. Horizontal extrusions provide passive solar shading for the apartment units, further enhanced by integrated balconies set back behind the horizontal cladding bands. These design features create thermal buffers for the interior spaces.
Unlike conventional enclosed boxes, the shared podium consists of a series of carved volumes. It defines the external pedestrian retail streets, starting from the north arrival plaza and extending to the lakefront in the south. The flowing, open-edge balcony circulation offers multiple vantage points for visitors and creates opportunities for al fresco dining. These semi-open spaces serve as an extension of the interior retail space while encouraging visitors to interact and connect with the public green space along the waterfront. Strategically positioned along the southern edge of the podium, the main entrance of the Marriott Hotel provides a glimpse of the waterfront experience upon arrival.
Design Challenge
The main design challenge in the Jinwan Huafa International Business Center lies in its response to the master plan and activation of the entire new district. Situated within the broader 3.8 sq km masterplan of the Jinwan Aviation City, this centre offers a mix of residential, cultural, civic, commercial, and retail facilities. Each component surrounds a new lake at the heart of the site, providing an opportunity to activate the district with public green space and waterfront activities. This signature development catalyzes growth and is a new focal point for the district while exemplifying the architectural language referenced in the entire master plan.
Sustainability
Our research on green building design has led us to develop a series of Environmental Strategies based on climate, radiation, wind direction, and rainfall.
When reducing energy consumption, the first step is to choose massing and orientation that align with the site's climate conditions. In the case of Zhuhai's climate, the goal is to minimize summer heat gain whilst maximizing passive solar energy in winter, eliminating the need for heating. To achieve this, we've designed shallow floor plates with a north-south orientation, reducing east-west solar exposure during the summer and promoting natural daylighting and ventilation. For optimum solar thermal orientation, buildings should face south to southeast.
Furthermore, we've carefully incorporated convective ventilation advantages into the overall planning and design of the new city. This ensures air quality and comfortable temperatures at pedestrian height, allowing for natural ventilation in offices and apartments. Including vertical gardens has also been beneficial, as they clean the air and provide pleasant public spaces.
Architecture - Mixed Use - International
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow.
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