Issue 9 May 2016 09 Opportunities in China’s Urban Aedascope Planning Directive Architecture Arts Team Graphics Interiors Landscape Urban Design & Masterplanning News Awards

Wuhan Kunlun City Master Plan, Wuhan, PRC OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA’S URBAN PLANNING DIRECTIVE

The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the While most established cities around the world are facing State Council has released a guideline document on urban high pressure to respond to an increasing demand for planning to tackle problems associated with urbanisation density and efficiency, China has a chance to lead a and the explosion of city sizes. Aedas welcomes the new trend of city hub developments. Chairman Keith guidelines and sees opportunities in China. Griffiths predicts that the city will develop a network of high-density city hubs around the central business China’s growth requires planning and development of district. These city hubs will be true high-density live- urban environments in the context of the total city. The work-recreate communities in which all facilities are document calls for modern, vibrant, distinctive and available within walking distance. The buildings will be optimal cities through the application of the principles porous and dissolve the ground plane into multiple public of forward planning, innovation, efficient land use and decks, offering interpenetration of landscaping, light and densification achieved through the rule of law. In the air. Well-planned public spaces will bond and connect future there will be a focus on sustainability, community, mixed-use buildings over transport hubs with high heritage conservation, functional and aesthetically connectivity. pleasing architecture and the strengthening of professional ethics. The document describes the new Aedas has been deeply involved in the city planning and requirements from a top down approach commencing designing of urban environment in China for the past with city planning which is to plan and enforce efficient, decade. The new directive has reinforced Aedas’ belief innovative, compact and dense cities. that great design can only be delivered by people who truly understand the social, cultural and environmental We see great opportunities offered by this new directive needs of the communities they design for, and also given to international architecture practices like Aedas which Aedas the confidence to continue pushing forward the can advise on urban planning to both authorities and idea of building city hubs in China and around the world. developers in China, as well as deliver locally relevant, functional and sustainable designs to the highest professional and international standards.

A modern city hub will be a true high-density live-work-recreate community which irrigates and connects the city through its porosity, multiple usages and multilevel public spaces. recently completed Twin Carp

Project Olympia 66 Location Dalian, PRC Client Hang Lung Properties Ltd. Involvement Design and Project Architect Gross Floor Area 221,900 sq m Completion Year 2015

news Directors Christine Lam and David Clayton

The vision of Olympia 66 is to create a contemporary statement with an oriental overtone. The design concept was inspired by the twin carp and the internal curving arcs resemble the swimming carp. The shells on the roof are layered to create a clear storey glazing, allowing direct daylight and reflected light into the two atria. The project is pre-certified with a LEED Gold rating.

Looking into Sina’s Eye

Project Sina Plaza Location Beijing, PRC Client R&F Properties / Sina Technology (China) Co.,Ltd. Involvement Design and Project Architect Gross Floor Area 124,500 sq m Completion Year 2015 Director Ken Wai

Sina Plaza is a headquarters development located at the Zhongguancun Science Park in northwest Beijing. It is the principal office in China for Sina Corporation, a Nasdaq listed company that operates Sina.com and Weibo social platform and has more than 85 million unique users per day.

‘Limitless’ is the core concept of the design and the building reflects the infinity symbol∞ ‘ ’. Drawing from the Chinese architectural heritage of courtyards, the building frames two major open courtyard gardens for the users. At the centre of the building is the main entrance and a focal point – the ‘Eye of Sina’ – an atrium space that serves as the main vertical circulation hub and features a 12-metre high conical media screen which displays current media information by Sina.com and Weibo.

The project recently celebrated its completion. To read more about the ceremony, please refer to the latter part of this e-newsletter.

Cavernous Stations

Project MTR West Island Line HKU and Sai Ying Pun Stations Location Hong Kong, PRC Client MTR Corporation Ltd Involvement Design and Project Architect Completion Year 2014 Directors Max Connop and Albert Tong

The stations are two of the three stations along the new MTR West Island Line. Both of them are caverns with entrances, vent shafts and subways that are stitched through and integrated into the surrounding dense urban fabric. The world’s first high speed and capacity lifts make large vertical travel distance possible.

The architecture of HKU Station is denoted by the truncated elliptical openings on the concourse level to give a visually stimulating journey. Glazed panels with the district’s historical images are introduced, allowing an introspective passenger experience. At Sai Ying Pun Station, more than 800 square metres of space is dedicated to artwork, delivering a dynamic station environment. It is equipped with a comprehensive pedestrian network to connect the Mid-levels.

HKU Station

New Look of Theatre

Project Tara Arts Location London, UK Client Tara Arts Involvement Design and Project Architect (including Theatre planning) Gross Floor Area 520 sq m Completion Year 2016 Director Julian Middleton

The new incarnation of Tara Arts fuses the global and the local, providing an inspirational space for the theatre to create art from the dialogue between East and West.

The design upgrades the theatre building by boosting capacity to 100 seats, designing a more flexible space for performances and creating a new rehearsal room.

The performance space features an adaptable earth floor to offer an original, alternative surface. The ‘banyan’ tree on the façade is pargeted, a traditional English craft, which resonates with Indian decorative techniques.

Temple Mall

Project Temple Mall Location Hong Kong, PRC Client The Link REIT Involvement Design and Project Architect Gross Floor Area 47,400 sq m Completion Year 2016 Director Cary Lau

Located in Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong, Temple Mall comprises two retail podiums Temple Mall North (formerly Lung Cheung Mall) and Temple Mall South (formerly Wong Tai Sin Plaza). The buildings were first built in 2001 and 1982 respectively.

In close proximity to the renowned Wong Tai Sin Temple, the design references oriental architectural elements to make a contemporary statement with an oriental overtone. The mall features diverse retail offerings and an enhanced shopping environment, offering a complete shopping experience for the community’s residents, local visitors and tourists. The layout provides improved circulation, shop front visibility and accessibility with a footbridge connecting the two podiums. It is well- equipped to cater to the special needs of young children, elderly or visually-impaired.

A Waving Skirt

Project Nanjing Jinmao Place Location Nanjing, PRC Client Nanjing International Group Co., Ltd. Involvement Design and Project Architect Gross Floor Area 122,783 sq m Completion Year 2015 Director Ken Wai

Nanjing Jinmao Place is strategically located in Nanjing city centre and faces Xuanwu Lake. The architectural concept is inspired by ‘brocade’, one of the three treasures of Nanjing handicrafts. From interior to exterior, the concept shifts from ‘brocade’ to ‘cloud’ and the consistent design language helps to create a unique skirt façade and moire pattern. The ‘cloud’ concept is also applied to each floor and expressed in different design elements to create richness of interior space. The sunken public plaza with stepped greenery well connects with the interiors, generating people flow to the mall, and becoming a focal area for entertainment and events.

latest designs Extending to the South

Project MTR South Island Line (East) Ocean Park and Wong Chuk Hang Stations Location Hong Kong, PRC Client MTR Corporation Ltd Involvement Design and Project Architect Completion Year 2016 Directors Max Connop and Albert Tong

Ocean Park and Wong Chuk Hang Stations are two of the five stations on the MTR South Island Line (East) running on the same alignment of South Island Line.

The mixture and combination of the coloured glazed panels enliven the façade providing dynamic compositions and characters to both stations. The colours of the façades are inspired by the ocean and the natural landscape, creating vibrant identities in the settings. Natural ventilation to the platforms and vertical green walling create airy and open station environments.

Ocean Park Station

New Hi-tech Park

Project Zhuhai Hengqin International Hi-tech Innovation Park Location Zhuhai, PRC Client Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Innovation and Development Co. Ltd Involvement Design Architect and Interior Designer Gross Floor Area 34,400 sq m Completion Year 2018 Director Kevin Wang

Zhuhai Hengqin International Hi-tech Innovation Park is located at Hengqin, one of the newly announced Free Trade Zones in China. The project aims to become a nurturing ground for the hi-tech industry and will consist of office spaces for enterprise accelerators, research and development as well as headquarters, supported by a China-Latin-America Economic Park, a one-stop service centre, public technology platforms, conference and training centres, technology exhibition and experience centres. Retail and serviced apartments will also be incorporated into the development to facilitate a work-live community.

The design drew inspiration from the scenic beauty of Hengqin’s mountains and sea. The office towers reflect the outline of the mountains and seashore with curvy edges, while the layout is carefully planned to include a central park with a sunken plaza and water features. The design creates an urban paradise for startup and business entrepreneurs.

Geometric Blocks

Project Nansha Kingboard Free Trade Zone Mixed-use Project Location Guangzhou, PRC Client Guangzhou Zhanying Property Co., Ltd. Involvement Design Architect Gross Floor Area 80,762 sq m Completion Year 2018 Director Ken Wai

This project is located at Nansha Free Trade Zone in Guangzhou where the starting point of the ancient ‘Maritime Silk Road’ is. The design reveals the ‘Gate of Maritime Silk Road’. The architecture is grandeur like an entrance gate at Jiaomen riverside, symbolising Nansha Free Trade Zone as a maritime gateway to the Belt and Road open to future opportunities and challenges.

The building form goes well with morphology, allowing diversified silhouettes from different perspectives with the programmatically logical, weaved geometric blocks.

Learn more about our projects

Beijing Sina Plaza Opens

Sina Plaza reflects the infinity symbol∞ ‘ ’ to express the concept of ‘limitless’.

Located in Zhongguancun Sina Plaza is the principal office Science Park, a technology hub in China for Sina Corporation, a often referred as ‘China’s Silicon Nasdaq listed company that Valley’ in the northwestern part operates Sina.com and Weibo of Beijing, Sina Plaza held its social platform and has more Completion Ceremony on 9 May. than 85 million unique users As the project’s architect, Aedas per day. Ken Wai joined other honourable was invited to join the ceremony. guests for the ribbon-cutting ‘Limitless’ is the core concept of ceremony. Ken Wai, Aedas’ Global Board the design as advances in media Director joined Mr. Li Szelim, technology and information the intersection or centre of the Chairman of R&F Properties, Mr. flow have opened up unlimited building is the main entrance Charles Chao, CEO and Chairman opportunities in the digital and a focal point – the ‘Eye of of Sina Corporation and world. The building is designed Sina’ – an atrium space that Chairman of Weibo Corporation, to reflect the infinity symbol serves as the main vertical and other honourable guests for ‘∞’ to express this concept of circulation hub and features a the ribbon-cutting ceremony. ‘limitless’. The objective of the 12-metre high conical media He also as the project designer architectural planning is to screen which displays current of Sina Plaza shared the design ensure maximum flexibility media information by Sina. concept of ‘limitless’. based on a modular approach com and Weibo. that allows reshaping and adjustments as needed. Although the architectural form is rectilinear, the architectural Drawing from the Chinese moves religiously follow a architectural heritage of special design discipline. The courtyards, the building form was squeezed, kneaded frames two major open and pinched to express courtyard gardens that entrances, balconies, special Two open courtyard gardens are brings natural light and cross double height workspaces and framed within the building. ventilation to the interiors. At skylights. Interview on CCTV News Aedas’ Chairman Keith Griffiths and other renowned commercial spoke to CCTV on Aedas’ landmarks. These were involvement and development happened far before the Belt and on Belt and Road. The interview Road initiative first proposed by was widely reported in various the Chinese government in 2013. programmes on CCTV News. Aedas is well placed on the Belt As an international architecture and Road with offices along the and design company, Aedas has routes and will further develop Keith Griffiths shared Aedas’ projects on Belt and Road with designed and completed projects with the ample opportunities CCTV. in cities along the Belt and Road from the initiative as well as over the years, including airports, devote to the resurgence of the railway stations, cruise terminal ancient routes. Watch the video

RIBA Tsinghua University’s Membership Glocalisation Forum Briefing Session Invited by Aedas to foster professional development especially for young architects and students, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) held its briefing session ‘Introduction to Routes to RIBA Membership’ at Aedas Hong Kong Office on 14 April, which was open to public to explain the conditions and eligibilities of becoming an RIBA chartered member to architectural professionals Andy Wen unveiled his new idea ‘Inno-Culturiage’ which merges innovation, and students. The session sustainability, culture and heritage to form a new approach in building design. was also connected real time to Aedas Singapore, Beijing, On 17 April, Andy Wen, Global and create unique and timeless Chengdu and Shanghai Board Director at Aedas, spoke architecture which appropriately offices. at the ‘Glocalisation’ Forum responds to its location and at Tsinghua University School culture. of Architecture in Beijing. The forum focusing on the change The forum also included other of architectural education speakers such as Zhuang and practices in response to Weimin, Dean of Tsinghua globalisation attracted over a University School of Architecture, hundred industry professionals Li Xiaodong, Professor at and students to participate in the Tsinghua University School of discussion on ‘Glocalisation’. Architecture, and Thomas Herzog, a renowned German Architect The briefing session was held in On the issue of striking a balance and Professor in Architecture. It Aedas Hong Kong Office. between globalisation and was jointly organised by Tsinghua localisation, Andy unveiled his University School of Architecture, new idea ‘Inno-Culturiage’ which Architectual Design and merges innovation, sustainability, Research Institute of Tsinghua culture and heritage to form a University, World Architecture, new approach in building design TEDxTHU and Archdaily. Media Luncheon in Beijing

Representatives from the mainstream media joined Global Board Director Andy Wen and Director Benjamin Chan to enjoy an afternoon of inspiring dialogues and networking.

Aedas hosted a media During the luncheon, Andy gave respect to history, society and luncheon on 10 March in an introduction of Aedas and culture and in part inspired by Beijing. Representatives from highlighted Aedas’ projects them. Buildings will endure and the mainstream media joined in 2016. Then he shared his respond to changes of the local Global Board Director Andy Wen new design philosophy ‘Inno- context. and Director Benjamin Chan to Culturiage’ with two exemplary enjoy an afternoon of inspiring projects. He pointed out that Also with this opportunity Aedas dialogues and networking. innovative and sustainable expressed its gratefulness to architecture should be in well media which have been integration and with deep supporting Aedas along the years. awards

Asia Pacific Property Awards 2016 Asia Pacific Property Awards 2016 Asia Pacific Property Awards 2016 Asia Pacific Property Awards 2016 Main Office Buildings, The St. Regis Chengdu, PRC Hengqin Huafa Plaza, Hotel Development in Sai 5-Star Best Hotel Architecture, China Macau Traditional Chinese Zhuhai, PRC Kung, Hong Kong, PRC Highly Commended, Mixed-use Highly Commended, Hotel Medicine Science and Architecture, China Architecture, Hong Kong Tech Park, Zhuhai, PRC 5-Star Best Office Architecture, China

Huanancheng Exhibition Centre, Nanning, PRC Sina Plaza, Beijing, PRC Highly Commended, Leisure Highly Commended, Office Architecture, China MOKO, Hong Kong, PRC Architecture, China 5-Star Best Retail Architecture, Hong Kong

139 NTC National Trade Center, Taichung, Taiwan 5-Star Best Office Architecture, Taiwan Global RLI Awards 2016 MOKO, Hong Kong, PRC Highly Commended, Shopping Centre Renovation Evergrande Huazhi Office Tower, Chengdu, PRC Highly Commended, Commercial High-rise Architecture, China

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