A new 129,000-square-metre, two-tower office complex in Shenzhen will sport a design by Goettsch Partners after the Chicago-based practice was announced as the winner of an intensive design competition. The COFCO Qianhai Asia Pacific Headquarters will consist of a 200-metre-tall tower to be occupied by COFCO Group's Asia Pacific sector and a 180-metre-tall tower to provide space for Aviva-COFCO Life Insurance Company.

A rendering of the full complex, image via Goettsch Partners

Almost an identical match, the towers will be clad in a rhythmic pinstripe design that gives way to a translucent marker at their crowning points, where an internal atria and sky terrace will reveal themselves. Distinct framing elements outline the building and accentuate its verticality. The view corridor between the two towers will be enhanced by subtly shifting the angle of the facade on the park-facing elevations. External solar shading and natural ventilation via the high-performance curtain wall have been designed to temper Shenzhen's moderate tropical climate. Operable windows have been hidden behind perforated metal panels to limit their visual intrusiveness.

Pedestrian connections to the complex are abundant, image via Goettsch Partners

The complex will become embedded in the urban fabric of the city immediately upon its opening, with connections to the existing pedestrian and public transportation network. Structurally, the retail podium, internal atria, and pedestrian bridges facilitate movement between the above- and below-grade retail, public park, and office lobby. A circulatory system of indoor and outdoor paths ensures strong links with the neighbouring green spaces.

The proposed public realm enhancements, image via Goettsch Partners

The upper sections of each tower will be exclusively used by COFCO employees, with a modern interior responding to current trends in workplace flexibility and collaborative spaces. The large internal atrium will unite the social zones on each floor with the sky terrace, creating a cohesive and dramatic open space. "Within any successful company, the headquarters is where ideas are generated," said Colin Franzen, AIA, LEED AP, associate principal, and senior project designer at Goettsch Partners. "We use design of the interior space to help drive employee interaction and communication within the workplace."

Collaborative spaces reject restrictive walls and columns, image via Goettsch Partners

Currently in the schematic design phase, the development should begin construction this summer, with completion anticipated in 2019.

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