Fact File
Location: Yubei District, Chongqing, China
Gross Built Area: 3210.56m2
Client: Sunac
Lead Architect: Larry Wen
Engineering: CMCU Engineering
Landscape: INTO
Interiors: Matrix Design
Completion Year:2020
Photo credits: Huang Ligang
Source: v2com
Located in the northern zone of the core region of Chongqing, China, the project consists of a cliffside building, designed and constructed into the surrounding mountain façade. In the main structure, the designers have deconstructed and reconstructed its internal spaces with an infusion of architectural elements conducive to the topography, resulting in the creation of a rich architectural, urban space.
The 3,000m² sales office project consists of four floors. The main entrance is located on the third level, providing access to the main sales center functional areas, including exhibition space, which spans the second and third floors. The ground floor features a heated swimming pool and health club, while a small art gallery occupies the fourth floor.
The project enhances the spatial experience of the building’s visitors through a design-oriented rethinking of modern lifestyles. The open concept of the sales offices breaks with tradition, promoting a more inclusive environment conducive to interaction. The artistic space on the top level will continue to evolve as an integral part of the interactive theme, with plans to develop the space into a community art center in the near future.
Externally, the project incorporates the shapes and forms of surrounding natural rock formations, adapted through deconstructive techniques to create flowing spaces. To complement those elements, the designers carefully studied the characteristics of a wide variety of materials and their effect on shadow and light. Stainless-steel, abundant glass, and acrylic light rods brilliantly contrast with cave-like elements reminiscent of a Roman grotto. The main entrance is supported by a riveted steel structure to form the principal framework. Large sections of the wall are cantilevered by steel columns, with composite plates inserted to reduce the overall load. This combination contributes to the irregular freehand brushwork facade of the building’s walls. Externally, 800 mm glass cantilevers seamlessly connect the glass framework.
The sculptural building’s deconstructivism is highly visible with its splendid artwork and aluminum-formed, thousand-paper crane façade, the latter being a reference to Asian cultural symbolism representing health, longevity, and truth. Stainless-steel plates form the internal workings of the crane system, combined with hanging folded aluminum plates to achieve a dazzling external design. By day, the mirrored finish of the structure’s stainless-steel framework glistens in the sunlight, distinguishing itself amongst the surrounding greenery. By night, acrylic light rods emanate brightly, enveloping the structure in a fantastical, dream-like aura. Sculptural design elements further contribute to the building’s external visual appeal, positioning it as a work of art.
