MVRDV completes first phase of vast masterplan with hongqiao flower building

dutch practice MVRDV has completed the first phase of a vast masterplan of a business park based by shanghai’s hongqiao airport.

formed in the shape of a flower, the distinctive and irregular building offers 15,000 m2 of grade A offices and once fully finished in 2016, will include 9 more office buildings designed also by the firm located on top of the aedas-designed shopping center.

providing a total of 110,999 m2 of rentable office space, the building rises as four towers which fuse together and finished off with a green roof. this merge in construction creates a shaded plaza for the areas below, and at the same time, the curvilinear nature of the buildings minimizes the need of façade. ‘the flower building is the landmark in our overall plan’ explains MVRDV co-founder and principal architect jacob van rijs, ‘the building is located near the entrance to a new metro station and acts as a beacon for pedestrians. the second phase of the masterplan is under construction, there we combine flexible, more generic office spaces with a village-like urban plan that offers intimacy and friendly outdoor spaces.’

the cantilevered, self-shading form of the flower building is complemented with a façade wrapped with rows of same-sized windows on each floor – reducing energy consumption and providing sunlight, it also promotes natural ventilation, which has also lead to the project achieving its 3-star energy rating.

 

the vast building, part of a masterplan is topped with a green roof

 

the building merges the tops of four towers to create a shaded and intimate plaza

 

the building will receive a 3-star green building label, the best energy performance rating available in china

 

the ground floor, with the largest windows, will feature retail space

 

escalators take visitors to the underground shopping center below