Stone-Inspired Skyscrapers Take Shape in Beijing

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2017


Beijing’s Chaoyang Park Plaza is nearly complete after the environment-inspired structure topped out more than two years ago.

The brain child of MAD Architects founder Ma Yansong, the project was proposed as part of an urban strategy the firm calls Shanshui City, after the Chinese words for "mountains" and "water."

“This project pushes the boundary of the urbanization process in modern cosmopolitan life by creating a dialogue between artificial scenery and natural landscapes,” the firm’s website notes.

“The forms of the buildings echo what is found in natural landscapes, and re-introduces nature to the urban realm.”

The Buildings

APV Engineered Coatings
NLB Corporation

At 120,000 square meters (393,700 square feet) the mixed-used buildings are connected by a 17-meter glass lobby at the entrance. The skyscrapers curve to create the illusion of naturally eroded river stones.

China Construction Design International Group took the lead on the project with facade design by firm RFR.

Quikspray, Inc.
TMI Coatings, Inc.

The main towers feature core-tube framing with steel-reinforced concrete. The facade glass is tinted to replicate the ink in cultural paintings. The same materials and design are seen in the low-rise buildings on the site.

The project is set to receive LEED Gold certification and optimizes natural lighting along with an intelligent air purification system, both of which reduce energy consumption.

base painters
Tarps manufacturing, Inc.

The project is set to be complete by the end of 2017.

Tagged categories: Building Envelope; Building facades; Commercial Construction; Design; Design build; Glass; Residential Construction; Steel


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