Shenzhen, China
The shape and exterior expression of Shenzhen Bayview Tower by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture are designed to protect from and take advantage of local environmental conditions to achieve a delicate balance with nature.
Shenzhen Bayview Tower has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Awards Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The silhouette was inspired by the surrounding Nanshan Mountains and the Shenzhen Bay, both important symbols of the Shenzhen landscape.
By borrowing inspiration from these natural forms, the building creates a direct relationship to its context.
From across the bay, the tower appears as a new peak between the water and the mountains.
In the evening, the tower is a beacon of light that anchors the entrance to the bay.
The form was further refined for efficiency, not solely measured in its floor plate, but also in its structure and environmental system performance.
A preliminary massing analysis determined that by reducing the mass of the top of the building with a series of step backs the form is more effective at mitigating the wind loads then tapering the building.
To further reduce the wind forces, wind slots are incorporated into the massing, minimizing the amount of structural material and the associated embodied carbon needed for construction.
A distinct feature of the building’s façade are the retractable shades that draw inspiration from traditional awnings that have adorned buildings in sub-tropical and tropical regions for generations.
Through a combination of passive sustainable strategy (shading the building from direct sunlight) and high-tech solutions (integrated photovoltaic panels), the total renewable energy produced is estimated to be 3.8% of the total building’s annual energy consumption.
To further increase the efficiency of the awnings, the building’s management system automatically deploys or retracts them according to weather conditions.
The building also incorporates 16 wind turbines located on the AOR floors at points where wind vortices are maximum.
Wind velocity was studied for each of the AOR floors using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
The small notches allow the installation of two 1.7m vertical axis wind turbines and the larger notches allow the installation of a single 6m turbine.
The vertical axis turbines are a proven technology that can handle wind of variable direction and velocity.
The total renewable energy produced from wind is estimated to be 1.8% of the total building’s annual energy consumption.
Another design feature is the sky gardens that wrap around the tower and are located throughout the office levels to provide break away areas to collaborate, connect, or rest.
It has been proven that fresh air and green spaces can help inspire creativity and enhance productivity.
These large multi-height landscaped areas spaces also serve as places where humans can reconnect with nature.
The top of the building features a public amenity observation experience that is both innovative and unique.
An observation deck features stunning 360-degree views of Shenzhen, surrounding a first of its interactive cultural program.
This multi-dimensional venue will submerge visitor in a sensory experience that includes state-of-the-art virtual reality, immersive holographic concerts, and interactive rides.
The space also offers visitors fine dining, a world-class sky garden, and live shows.
The cloud-like pod that forms this event space is visible through the exterior wall at the top of tower, adding interest and intrigue, further encouraging visitors to explore this truly one of a kind building.
Project: Shenzhen Bayview Tower
Architects: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Client: Private
Photographs Courtesy of the Architects
