Competition 2002 – 1st prize
Design Volkwin Marg and Hubert Nienhoff
Partners Hubert Nienhoff, Stephan Schütz (Execution)
Project management Alexander Buchhofer, Silvia Schneider
Team Design Christian Dorndorf, Martin Duplantier
Team Raelisation (Façade design) Veit Lieneweg, Stephan Rewolle, Peng Du, Dong Chunsong, Xia Lin, Nicolas Pomränke
Chinese partner practice China Beijing Institute of Architectural Design & Research
Client Wanda Plaza Property Co., Ltd.
Gross floor area 155,000 m²
Height 104 m
Floors 23
Construction period 2005–2007
Photographers:
Christian Gahl
The two volumes are interpreted as an abstract, stone sculpture characterized by vertical towers (housing the hotel and office spaces) which evolve out of a horizontal plinth in which the commercial space is located. The towers’ distinctive projection into the urban area around the Jianguo Road creates a striking entity within the heterogeneous urban fabric.
Staggered floors, as well as large-scale recesses in the entrance areas of the tower organize the building. Shaded colonnades form the structure’s base. The facade’s natural materials – light, warm colored granulated granite – reflect the sunlight and draw attention to the building ensemble. The deep soffits and the sculptural effect of the architectural volumes produce a staged image of light and shadow and accentuate the overall form and its effect in the urban surrounding.