Construction has commenced on the Chengdu Jiaozi Courtyard Towers, a remarkable mixed-use complex envisioned by the acclaimed architectural firm MVRDV. Situated in the vibrant Jiaozi Park Financial and Business District of Chengdu, this project is set to occupy the last vacant plot adjacent to the district's iconic Tianfu International Finance Centre. The development comprises three office towers and a conference center atop a ring-shaped plinth, drawing inspiration from the locale's traditional architectural heritage, notably evident in the charming retail village reminiscent of the site's past.The conference center and the three office towers, ranging from approximately 80 to 130 meters in height, gracefully occupy each corner of the square site. The conference center, adorned with a captivating cantilever and façade details inspired by the region's bamboo-weaving craftsmanship, stands as a striking addition at the prominent corner facing the Tianfu International Finance Centre.Contrasting the square arrangement of the towers and the conference center, the base of the complex features a circular connecting plinth, forming a delightful courtyard. Adjacent to the conference center, the plinth gently descends to street level, facilitating visual connectivity and inviting people into the heart of the site. Three passages intricately carved through the plinth offer additional access to the courtyard from various directions.Within the circular courtyard, visitors are greeted with a contemporary reinterpretation of one- and two-story buildings, reminiscent of the site's historical village that once occupied the space. While the original structures have been demolished, they have been resurrected in their original sizes and placements to form a retail village. This lively village integrates shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, creating a captivating and vibrant atmosphere within the circular plinth. Whenever feasible, the construction of these quaint structures aims to utilize wood and recycled materials, reducing the embodied carbon in their creation.Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV, remarks, "With the Jiaozi Courtyard Towers, we were presented with a rare opportunity in China: a design project that provides the missing puzzle piece to a new district. It is astonishing to contemplate that this entire area was predominantly rural just two decades ago. During the pandemic, we stumbled upon the village through Google Earth, inspiring us to create a historical world within this context. Surrounded by three new towers, one becomes acutely aware of the rapid transformation this place has undergone."The design of the three office towers seamlessly integrates with the neighboring modest towers, exhibiting subtle yet elegant details that also contribute to their sustainability. With the surrounding structures already in place, a meticulous shadow study was conducted to ascertain the precise moments when sunlight would strike each surface of the design. This analysis informed the façade design, incorporating fins positioned at varying angles to minimize solar heat gain. To facilitate user-controlled natural ventilation, the office interiors feature openable panels mounted on the back of these fins, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling and, consequently, the operational energy consumption of the offices.The rooftops of the towers have been dedicated to generating renewable energy, featuring an expansive area of approximately 3,600 square meters adorned with photovoltaic panels. Moreover, the complex adopts a range of sustainability strategies, including green roofs on the plinth, native vegetation, and water retention and reuse. These initiatives collectively contribute to the building's pursuit of LEED-Gold certification and a three-star rating in the Chinese "three-star" sustainability system.Chengdu Jiaozi Park Financial and Business Zone Investment & Development Co., Ltd. serves as the client for this visionary project, aiming to redefine the architectural landscape of Chengdu.
Construction has commenced on the Chengdu Jiaozi Courtyard Towers, a remarkable mixed-use complex envisioned by the acclaimed architectural firm MVRDV. Situated in the vibrant Jiaozi Park Financial and Business District of Chengdu, this project is set to occupy the last vacant plot adjacent to the district's iconic Tianfu International Finance Centre. The development comprises three office towers and a conference center atop a ring-shaped plinth, drawing inspiration from the locale's traditional architectural heritage, notably evident in the charming retail village reminiscent of the site's past.The conference center and the three office towers, ranging from approximately 80 to 130 meters in height, gracefully occupy each corner of the square site. The conference center, adorned with a captivating cantilever and façade details inspired by the region's bamboo-weaving craftsmanship, stands as a striking addition at the prominent corner facing the Tianfu International Finance Centre.Contrasting the square arrangement of the towers and the conference center, the base of the complex features a circular connecting plinth, forming a delightful courtyard. Adjacent to the conference center, the plinth gently descends to street level, facilitating visual connectivity and inviting people into the heart of the site. Three passages intricately carved through the plinth offer additional access to the courtyard from various directions.Within the circular courtyard, visitors are greeted with a contemporary reinterpretation of one- and two-story buildings, reminiscent of the site's historical village that once occupied the space. While the original structures have been demolished, they have been resurrected in their original sizes and placements to form a retail village. This lively village integrates shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, creating a captivating and vibrant atmosphere within the circular plinth. Whenever feasible, the construction of these quaint structures aims to utilize wood and recycled materials, reducing the embodied carbon in their creation.Jacob van Rijs, founding partner of MVRDV, remarks, "With the Jiaozi Courtyard Towers, we were presented with a rare opportunity in China: a design project that provides the missing puzzle piece to a new district. It is astonishing to contemplate that this entire area was predominantly rural just two decades ago. During the pandemic, we stumbled upon the village through Google Earth, inspiring us to create a historical world within this context. Surrounded by three new towers, one becomes acutely aware of the rapid transformation this place has undergone."The design of the three office towers seamlessly integrates with the neighboring modest towers, exhibiting subtle yet elegant details that also contribute to their sustainability. With the surrounding structures already in place, a meticulous shadow study was conducted to ascertain the precise moments when sunlight would strike each surface of the design. This analysis informed the façade design, incorporating fins positioned at varying angles to minimize solar heat gain. To facilitate user-controlled natural ventilation, the office interiors feature openable panels mounted on the back of these fins, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling and, consequently, the operational energy consumption of the offices.The rooftops of the towers have been dedicated to generating renewable energy, featuring an expansive area of approximately 3,600 square meters adorned with photovoltaic panels. Moreover, the complex adopts a range of sustainability strategies, including green roofs on the plinth, native vegetation, and water retention and reuse. These initiatives collectively contribute to the building's pursuit of LEED-Gold certification and a three-star rating in the Chinese "three-star" sustainability system.Chengdu Jiaozi Park Financial and Business Zone Investment & Development Co., Ltd. serves as the client for this visionary project, aiming to redefine the architectural landscape of Chengdu.
