Vanke Times Center, a 47,000-sm urban complex created from the bones of an old shopping mall in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, blends retail shops, offices, large art installations, a multi-functional exhibition space, and a bamboo meditation garden into one unique location.
The complex’s retail shops are located on the basement and ground floors, with the upper floors housing the offices, green spaces, and exhibitions/events. Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects created a series of three atriums in the renovated design. The atriums increase connection and natural light to the deep floor plan and are surrounded by three office clusters topped with penthouses and roof gardens.
Photo: Yuzhu Zheng.
The third 18-meter-high atrium is carved from the street facade and creates a clear main entrance. This atrium is located on the north side of the building and has been dubbed the “Creative Living Room.” It opens to the city through a glass curtain wall and contains a giant suspended sculpture by French photographer and artist Charles Petillon. The Creative Living Room also contains two cantilevered conference rooms.
Photo: Yuzhu Zheng.
The second atrium has been dubbed the “Media Plaza.” It is the core of the building, connecting the underground commercial area to the ground floor office space with two bamboo staircases. The Media Plaza includes scattered seating and an open, ascending layout that makes it ideal for conferences, lectures, art exhibitions, and performances. Large walkways and footbridges connect the upper levels between the 24-meter-high skylight.
See Also: Florida mixed-use development uses wellness as the backbone of its design
The third atrium is the smallest and has been named the “Meditation Bamboo Garden.” It is located on the western side of the second floor and acts as a place of rest for office workers.
The complex was completed in August 2018 and has been pre-certified as LEED Gold.
Photo: Yuzhu Zheng.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Aug 14, 2024
World’s first TRUE Zero Waste for Construction-certified public project delivered in Calif.
The Contra Costa County Administration Building in Martinez, Calif., is the world’s first public project to achieve the zero-waste-focused TRUE Gold certification for construction. The TRUE Certification for Construction program, administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), recognizes projects that achieve exceptional levels of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 30, 2024
Empty mall to be converted to UCLA Research Park
UCLA recently acquired a former mall that it will convert into the UCLA Research Park that will house the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, as well as programs across other disciplines. The 700,000-sf property, formerly the Westside Pavilion shopping mall, is two miles from the university’s main Westwood campus. Google, which previously leased part of the property, helped enable and support UCLA’s acquisition.
Great Solutions | Jul 23, 2024
41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors
AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
Laboratories | Jul 3, 2024
New science, old buildings: Renovating for efficiency, flexibility, and connection
What does the research space of the future look like? And can it be housed in older buildings—or does it require new construction?
Smart Buildings | Jul 1, 2024
GSA to invest $80 million on smart building technologies at federal properties
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will invest $80 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into smart building technologies within 560 federal buildings. GSA intends to enhance operations through granular controls, expand available reporting with more advanced metering sources, and optimize the operator experience.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 24, 2024
‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement could create more affordable housing
The so-called “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) movement, where houses of worship convert their properties to housing, could help alleviate the serious housing crisis affecting many communities around the country.
Mass Timber | Jun 17, 2024
British Columbia hospital features mass timber community hall
The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in Duncan, British Columbia, features an expansive community hall featuring mass timber construction. The hall, designed to promote social interaction and connection to give patients, families, and staff a warm and welcoming environment, connects a Diagnostic and Treatment (“D&T”) Block and Inpatient Tower.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2024
AEC inspections are the key to financially viable office to residential adaptive reuse projects
About a year ago our industry was abuzz with an idea that seemed like a one-shot miracle cure for both the shockingly high rate of office vacancies and the worsening housing shortage. The seemingly simple idea of converting empty office buildings to multifamily residential seemed like an easy and elegant solution. However, in the intervening months we’ve seen only a handful of these conversions, despite near universal enthusiasm for the concept.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 13, 2024
4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets
As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”
Office Buildings | Jun 3, 2024
Insights for working well in a hybrid world
GBBN Principal and Interior Designer Beth Latto, NCIDQ, LEED AP, ID+C, WELL AP, share a few takeaways, insights, and lessons learned from a recent Post Occupancy Evaluation of the firm's Cincinnati, Ohio, office.
