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Not only do design competitions raise the international profile of participating architects, they often result in a striking final product that meets all the criteria specified by the developer. These competitions are especially common in China, where a winner was recently selected for a multi-tower development in Nanjing. German firm gmp Architekten came out on top and are now tasked with finalizing a master plan and design for the Nanjing Financial City II project.
Located southwest of the inner city, the five-tower development is the second phase of Nanjing Financial City, a massive new mixed-use hub. Several buildings in the ten-tower first phase — also designed by gmp Architekten — are quickly approaching completion. Phase two looks to build upon the emerging business district by proposing a collection of office and serviced apartment highrises. A landmark skyscraper 415 metres tall would dominate its surroundings. Four other towers scattered around the site would each rise to a height of 157 metres.
A 'green axis' divides the site into three sections, creating a 'green canyon' among the dense cluster of towers. This area, complete with courtyards, squares, and manicured gardens, will be integrated with the project's diverse retail component. A series of pedestrian bridges provides circulation between this section and the broader urban identity of the neighbourhood.
The glass and steel towers are anchored by substantial podiums while smaller stone slabs create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere familiar to the passageways of historic inner cities. This juxtaposition between modern skyscrapers and a more traditional human-scale experience at ground level was inspired by Nanjing's city wall, which dates back to the 14th century and took over 20 years to complete. At 35 kilometres in length, it's championed as the longest city wall still standing today. The arches and entry points of the wall are echoed in the design through recesses in the facade of the towers. Landscaped rooftops provide an aerial perspective to users of the space, much like the upper sections of the city wall.
As construction continues on phase one, you can feast your eyes on what to expect for phase two by visiting the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
