Wangjing SOHO / ZHA / Beijing

Wangjing SOHO Complex

• Architects:  Zaha Hadid Architects, CCDI Group
• Location:  Beijing, China
• Client:  SOHO China Co. Ltd
• Structural Engineer:  China Academy of Building Research, CCDI Group
• Structural Material:  Composite (Core: Reinforced Concrete; Columns: Concrete filled Steel; Floor Spanning: Steel)
• Built Area:  115,393 m2
• Gross Floor Area:  521,265 m2
• Area:  Tower 1: 136,384 m2;  Tower 2: 125,131 m2;  Tower 3: 125,307 m2
• Height:  Tower 1: 118 m;  Tower 2: 127 m;  Tower 3: 200 m
• Pavilions 1&2:  15 m;  Pavilion 3:  6m
• Floors above ground:  2 Retail, 37 Offices
• Floors Below ground:  1 Retail, 3 Parking Levels
• Project Dates:  2011-2014
• MEP Engineer:  ARUP Group, CCDI Group
• Main Contractor:  China State Construction Engineering Corporation
• Facade Consultant:  ARUP, Inhabit Group
• Landscape Consultant:  Ecoland, Zaha Hadid Architects
• LEED Consultant:  Environmental Market Solutions, Inc.
• Lighting Consultant:  Lightdesign
• Wind Consultant:  Yonsei University
• Elevator Consultant:  Fujitec Co., Ltd  

The Wangjing SOHO Project is designed as three dynamic mountain - or fish like forms, pulling energy through the site with their convex forms. The juxtaposition of the towers affords a continuously changing, elegant and fluid view from all directions. The exterior skin of the tower consists of flowing, shimmering ribbons of aluminium and glass that continuously wrap around the buildings and embrace the sky, threading through a landscape with approximately 60,000 square meters of green area open to the public. Inspired by the surrounding movement of the city., the sun, the wind, the project aims to lend a strong identity to the Wangjing area, creating a gateway beacon that can be seen by travelers along the highway heading to or from Beijing Capital International Airport.

The site for the proposed Wangjing SOHO Project is located in the Chaoyang District of northwest Beijing, between Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads. The area contains the offices of many Chinese startup companies, as well as global companies such as Microsoft, Daimler, Caterpillar, Panasonic, Nortel and Siemens. It is conveniently located on the way to the airport and near various metro stations, and is home to a vibrant mix of local and international residents and visitors.

The building program is a mixed-use commercial development, containing offices and retail above grade, retail below grade in B1 basement level, and parking and mechanical in the B2, B3 and B4 basements. The composition of the towers extends into the surrounding landscape, with flowing lines creating paths of movement and exciting activity zones of shopping and leisure. The lines of movement extend to the perimeter and integrate all the green areas around the site. Between the main building towers is a "canyon" of retail shops and activities, and several pavilion gate buildings that create a shopping street at the ground level. There are two sunken garden courts east and west of the canyon that continue the landscaped paths down to the retail concourse below.

The main tower entrance lobbies, facing outwards to the city, welcome visitors into large dynamic halls and sunken garden levels below. Up above in the office towers, there are sample open plan office spaces offering natural daylight and continuous panoramic views in all directions.

Most of the roofs are covered with louvers and top of the roof surfaces are coated with highly reflective material, in order to mitigate the heat island effect in the city. The buildings have horizontal bands of white aluminium and double insulated utilized glazing systems that can provide overhangs for sun shading, while providing maintenance terraces and water collection.

To encourage more sustainable transportation access, special parking spots are reserved for low-emissions cars; bicycle parking and shower facilities are also provided. Direct access to subway stations and bus stops nearby have been integrated into the planning.

For better indoor environment quality for the occupants, the fresh air rate per person provided exceeds the ASHRAE standard by 30 percent. Highly efficient filters are installed to remove PM 2.5 particles in the AC system. In the interior design, low-volatile organic compound (VOC) materials are carefully chosen to eliminate pollution from the outset.