There is something peaceful and calming about river pebbles. These smooth, moss-covered stones can provide an appearance of order, fitting together like a natural mosaic, which is probably why they are often times used to decorate spaces ranging from shower floors and walls to outdoor paths and gardens.
But the river pebble design Aedas has created in their 18-story office building, dubbed Lè Architecture, is on a different level; the building itself has been created to resemble one giant, moss-covered river pebble and, as ArchDaily reports, will provide a unique work environment near the Jilong River.
Acting as the moss for this giant pebble, a series of vertical green belts on the building’s west side provide sunshading for the interior office spaces. Meanwhile, the north and south ends are covered in vegetated outdoor terraces.
The office spaces all exist on one side of the building, while “urban living rooms” occupy the other side. The offices and urban living rooms are all centered around communal areas with kitchens, coffee shops, libraries, and breakout spaces.
The project hopes to achieve LEED Gold certification through incorporating a glass façade optimized for construction feasibility and vertical aluminum fins and green planters meant to lower the interior temperature in the summer via sunshading, lessening the need for mechanical cooling.
The project, which is well underway, is scheduled for a 2017 completion.
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Related Stories
| Nov 25, 2014
Study: 85% of employees dissatisfied with their office environment
A vast majority of office workers feel open floor plans cause multiple distractions and that more private spaces are needed in today's offices, according to a new study by Steelcase and research firm IPSOS.
| Nov 24, 2014
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed crystalline tower breaks ground in southwestern China
Fitted with an LED façade, the 468-meter Greenland Tower Chengdu will act as a light sculpture for the city of Chengdu.
| Nov 18, 2014
New tool helps developers, contractors identify geographic risk for construction
The new interactive tool from Aon Risk Solutions provides real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S.
| Nov 17, 2014
Hospitality at the workplace: 5 ways hotels are transforming the office
During the past five years, the worlds of hospitality and corporate real estate have undergone an incredible transformation. The traditional approach toward real estate asset management has shifted to a focus on offerings that accommodate mobility, changing demographics, and technology, writes HOK's Eva Garza.
| Nov 17, 2014
Workplace pilot programs: A new tool for creating workspaces employees love
In a recent article for Fast Company, CannonDesign's Meg Osman details how insurance giant Zurich used a workplace pilot program to empower its employees in the creation of its new North American headquarters.
| Nov 17, 2014
Mastering natural ventilation: 5 crucial lessons from design experts
By harnessing natural ventilation, Building Teams can achieve a tremendous reduction in energy use and increase in occupant comfort. Engineers from SOM offer lessons from the firm’s recent work.
| Nov 10, 2014
5 guiding principles for solving airflow issues in open-plenum office spaces
Although architecturally appealing, exposed ceilings can create unwanted drafts and airflow problems if not engineered correctly. McGuire Engineers' Bill Stangeland offers tips for avoiding airflow issues on these projects.
| Nov 6, 2014
Hines planning tall wood office building in Minneapolis
The Houston-based developer is planning a seven-story wood-framed office building in Minneapolis’ North Loop that will respect the neighborhood’s historic warehouse district look.
| Nov 5, 2014
Survey: More than 75% of workload takes place without face-to-face interactions
With the rise of technology, much of the workday—even the most productive morning hours—is spent corresponding via email or conference call, according to a recent survey of corporate workers by Mancini•Duffy.
| Nov 4, 2014
HOK breaks ground on colossal research complex for LG in Seoul
Located in Seoul’s Magok District, the LG Science Park provides facilities to support innovative research and industrial prototyping. HOK designed phase one of the master plan and six of the laboratory and office buildings.
