Zaha Hadid Architects' oblong design for OPPO Shenzhen headquarters

Zaha Hadid Architects had the winning proposal to design the new Shenzhen headquarters for consumer electronics company OPPO, China's leading smartphone manufacturer.

In stage two of the competition, ZHA was one of five big-name finalist teams, which included BIG, SOM, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, and Henning Larsen Architects HK.

As OPPO continues to expand, the new headquarters reflects their “commitment to connectivity through design”. ZHA's 185,000 square-meter scheme comprises of four interconnected towers standing at 200 meters tall (42 floors), which are orientated to maximize views over Shenzhen Bay.

Two of the towers have flexible, open-plan spaces linked by a 20-story vertical lobby, while the other two external service towers provide vertical circulation. The towers taper inward at the lower levels to create large public spaces at street level.

“Locating the towers' service cores externally frees the center of each floor from obstructions; providing uninterrupted views throughout the building. Large atrium spaces unite all occupants through visual connectivity, helping to foster collaboration between different departments,” ZHA says.

The towers provide abundant natural light, varied working environments, and different routes for employees and visitors to move through the building — all of which aim to help create a corporate office environment that is more “conducive to creative engagement and spontaneity,” according to ZHA.

The scheme also includes a landscaped plaza, art gallery, shops, restaurants, and connect to an adjacent station of Shenzhen's subway network. The Sky Plaza on the 10th floor offers dining and entertainment, and the rooftop Sky Lab will invite the public to take in views of the surrounding city.

The project is currently scheduled to break ground later this year, and is aiming to be completed by early 2025.