Steven Holl Architects has been commissioned to design a new 28,000 m² hybrid building of offices and retail for CIFI Group in Beijing. The mixed-use complex will be Steven Holl Architects’ second building in Beijing.
Project Name: Cifi Beijing
Architect Name: Steven Holl Architects
The design for the hybrid building is based on five central points:
Varying qualities of light give this office and retail building a unique geometry and shape dynamic spaces. The north light curves — in response to code setback requirements — provide soft and evenly diffused light to the interiors on the upper floors. On the south facade, sculpted cuts bring light to the office spaces and to retail below grade.
The north light curves will be developed together with Okalux. The structure consists of four layers: a glass exterior laid over truss, secondary tubes, and an interior layer of translucent barrisol or newmat.
The exterior concrete structure helps to allow for flexibility in interior space. The top levels of the building will house flexible open office space. The aluminum-painted concrete will be OSB formed, contrasting the smooth, matte finish of the north light curves.
The retail at grade is shaped around reflecting pools and gardens, giving the building an inspiring urban porosity and a pedestrian-friendly scale. Rainwater recycling in the pools and state-of-the-art ecological systems are envisioned to amplify the sustainable quality of the building.
The new building will be located in Fengtai, Beijing, and will be Steven Holl Architects’ second mixeduse building in the city.
