OMA, SADI, YRG, SWA, Inhabit and AECOM win Essence Financial Building in Shenzhen
OMA has released proposals for a new office tower in one of China’s most rapidly developing cities: Shenzhen. The firm has presented its latest concept as a break away from conventional design in the region, its press release determining: “Populated by a range of office towers of different generations, the city is ready for the next leap forward from a manufacturing city into a services hub. As one of China’s fastest growing services and business centres, Shenzhen is the perfect context to question and challenge the many conventions that govern the design of office towers.”
Instead of locating the core in the centre of the building, the architects have shifted it to the side in order to offer tenants a range of floorplates which can greater maximise their productivity. These unobstructed plans will enable effective communication and ultimate flexibility across the office floor. Externally the design incorporates shaded recreation space for users of the building while higher up the building will be a viewing platform which overlooks the nearby Shenzhen Golf Club.
Gradated windows on the south facade increase in size towards the base of the tower in relation to the decrease of sunlight penetration while the east and west facades have fewer windows all together. The Essence Financial Building is connected on several sides to nearby transport systems with Fuhua First Road to the north and Futian Metro Station and Shopping Park Metro Station also in close proximity.
Partners David Gianotten and Rem Koolhaas led the OMA team with SADI, YRG, SWA, Inhabit and AECOM to win the scheme. Gianotten commented: “OMA is very excited about its continuous and deepening participation in Shenzhen’s development, especially as the city makes its latest evolution: from a manufacturing city in a services hub. This next generation of urbanism calls for a new generation of office towers, of which the Essence Financial Building could be one.”