Sited on the eastern Ring 3 close to Beijing’s Central Business District, the building consists of two slender blocks placed parallel to each other. The slight displacement of the two monoliths relative to each other creates an urban space in the north that is a response to the position at the corner of a major junction. As a forecourt to the building, the space is prominent and inviting, and is matched by a more intimate counterpart on the south side in the form of a completely glazed, 80m-high atrium. The conceptual simplicity and clarity continue in the facade. This takes the form of a double-shell, climate-active facade that allows a complete reduction to large-format stone and glass surfaces, permitting natural ventilation via concealed apertures.