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
Mixed-Use | Apr 20, 2021
EskewDumezRipple and Wolf Ackerman unveil the Center for Developing Entrepreneurs
The Charlottesville, Va. project is slated for completion later this year.
Mixed-Use | Apr 19, 2021
BIG unveils design for the new OPPO R&D Headquarters in Hangzhou’s Future Sci-Tech City
The project sits between a natural lake, an urban center, and a 10,000-sm park.
Mixed-Use | Apr 16, 2021
Wrigleyville Lofts to bring 120 apartment units to Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood
The project will also include 14,000 sf of ground floor retail.
Mixed-Use | Apr 8, 2021
New mixed-use development under construction at Naperville’s CityGate Centre
The project will comprise 285 multifamily units and the shell for a future event center.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2021
New mixed-use rental community breaks ground in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood
The building marks the latest phase of the Oakwood Shores revitalization plan.
Mixed-Use | Mar 24, 2021
Austin United Alliance’s proposal selected for redevelopment of Chicago’s Austin-Laramie State Bank site
The winning scheme was chosen from among six others.
Mixed-Use | Mar 22, 2021
Mixed-use, mixed-income development under construction in Salt Lake City
KTGY Architecture + Planning is designing the project.
Mixed-Use | Mar 9, 2021
47-story residential and office building set for San Francisco’s new ‘Hub’
Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed the project.
Mixed-Use | Mar 8, 2021
Chicago’s South Side to receive new Entrepreneurial and Community Hub
SOM and TnS Studio will lead the design.
Mixed-Use | Feb 24, 2021
Skanska completes primary construction work on Nashville’s largest ever mixed-use project
Gresham Smith is serving as architect-of-record for the entire project and is part of the design team with Pappageorge Haymes and Gensler.