Cascading Shenzhen office building luxuriates under a stepped green roof

Instead of designing two separate office towers required by a program and plot size in Shenzhen, architecture firm ZHUBO DESIGN conceived a continuous stepped volume that flows along the edge of the site.

The now completed Shenye TaiRan Building is a green-roofed development with a central communal space protected from noise, pollution and excess sunlight.

The Shenye TaiRan Building was designed as a continuous volume extruded to different heights, depending on the context, optimal sun exposure and level of protection from the bustling city streets. At its heart is a large courtyard which also serves as the main entrance to the underground parking garage. This space, featuring a reflective pool, provides users with a direct access to the offices, replacing the typical dark route from subterranean spaces.

One of the most impressive features is the planted stepped roof, composed of stacked units which form balconies and minimizes cooling loads. It comprises lush gardens, wooden terraces and seating areas. The exterior cladding materials, predominantly light stone, reflect sun rays, while the inner balcony facade features dark grey aluminum.