The Skygardens

Superimpose Architecture proposed an elegant office development design with floating 'skygardens' for the Huanglong central district Hangzhou. 10 large 'skygardens' are set to become the eye-catcher of the new business development and are carefully scattered through the project to provide valuable public spaces and tactically break down the massing.

The skygardens are designated as the sky lobby for the hotel, an auditorium, canteen and office facilities etc. The green garden-like incisions break down the massing into higher and lower volumes. The lower volumes of the different building blocks work together to create a comfortable and accessible public realm. The higher volumes are pushed in to adjust the floor plans, accommodating for different uses and programmatic requirements. Inspiration for the facade was found in the nearby bamboo forests in Baoshi mountain. The façade system is developed as a series of different circular aluminum tubes that acts as an extension of the landscape.
The large 210,000 sqm development is a 'one-of-a-kind' vibrant mixed use project and will surely become an attractor for top-level enterprises. Superimpose proposed to separate the site in two zones with their main characteristics: The urban Periphery and the Green heart. All Towers, Roads, Fire climbing zones, parking entrances and drop-offs are strategically placed at the periphery of the site allowing for a maximized green heart of 10,000 sqm. Between the towers smaller retail units are placed to create a street-retail environment. The landscape of the central heart gently slopes upwards towards the North allowing for retail units underneath, extending the street retail environment without interrupting the landscape gesture. The slope is an extension of the green belt and creates a unique experience for visitor. Centrally located on the green slope, a cultural pavilion forms the hearth of the mixed-use development. The design focuses on being innovative, culturally engaged and sustainable, providing valuable spaces for public use whilst achieving a highly efficient grade A office development.