Hangzhou, China
Büro Ole Scheeren has unveiled its plans for a new mixed-use development located in Hangzhou, China that comprises approximately 800,000 square feet of offices, hotel and leisure spaces across two towers connected by a topographical landscape at its core.
Named the Urban Glen, the project is located between the UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Lake and the Qiantang River, Urban Glen is part of a wider initiative to enrich Hangzhou’s cultural scene and connect its historic areas with new developments.
Connecting the two towers, the “Urban Glen” will be an interactive space featuring the synergetic components of both towers such as ballroom, meeting spaces, bars and restaurants, retail, as well as spaces and terraces for the display of art.
A network of escalators enables seamless vertical and horizontal circulation between the various functions, while connecting to the central public spine of the wider development and masterplan.
Inspired by the green hilly landscapes synonymous with Hangzhou, Ole Scheeren’s design layers nature throughout the project.
A series of cascading stepped volumes create the three-dimensional landscape of the “Urban Glen”, setting a stage for New World Development’s art and sculpture collection.
The weaving terraces and green spaces maximise natural daylight for both towers and simultaneously create a visual connection between exterior and interior spaces.
The three-dimensional sculpture garden will be accessible to hotel patrons, office workers, and the general public, fostering a rich cultural experience.
“Instead of creating a hermetic singular volume, Urban Glen opens a highly interactive space in the middle of the city block – a space that unites living and working with nature, culture, and leisure,” comments Ole Scheeren.
“It’s a model for activating urban density through the insertion of differentiated spaces of life – we want to redefine how we bring together culture and nature to foster a sense of community and social interaction.”
Urban Glen presents two distinct façade types, with an outer two-dimensional envelope forming a smooth, contextual shell and an inner world with dissolving geometric volumes that abstract the layered contours of Hangzhou’s natural landscape.
Together, both form a unique and iconic figure within the cityscape.
The urban interface façade consists of a system of recessed channels and vertical glass strips, achieving depth and elegance whilst defining the boundary of the urban block, while the internal stepping facade breaks into smaller pieces to reveal the green “Urban Glen,” infusing three-dimensional life at the heart of the development.
Project: Urban Glen
Architects: Büro Ole Scheeren
Client: Rosewood Hotel and K11 Atelier
Developer: New World Development
Renderings: Büro Ole Scheeren
