Location: Shenzhen    Time: 2004.3    Size: 217,000 sqm    Height: 200 m 

The project starts from urban design research with a focus on searching for the appropriate architectural form best fits this city block. The site maintains a unique urban geography due to historical reasons: to its south, is the “village amidst the city” with unorganized low-rise structures; to its north, is a cramped mix use area that has developed over the years; the other two sides of the site are surrounded by newly developed high-rise buildings. At this time and place in Shenzhen's urban development, this site happens to be a city block with time and space merging, history and modernity melting. The expected building is challenged to be responsive to this environment and to yield a proud image with a modest profile.

To be 200m tall is the direct conclusion of this urban study, it is a step further to match the existing urban planning. The coordinated growth pattern enabled both the square and circular tower to join the urban dialogue with similar tone and shared theme. Inside the square office tower there hides sky gardens; inside the circular hotel tower there are hotel rooms with maximized views to the city, and the residential slab slopes as a background in its modesty. The shading issue to the existing buildings in the north is minimized by this composition, the undesirable views of the immediate neighbors are also screened. In between these different volumes, the open bridges, stairs and the clear geometry compose a pleasant urban stage.