Scheme located close to Unesco world heritage site
Ole Scheeren has unveiled plans for a twin tower mixed-use scheme next to a Unesco world heritage site in Hangzhou, China.
The Beijing-based architect鈥檚 designs for the Urban Glen scheme were drawn up for Hong Kong developer New World Development.
Currently under construction, it consists of two main blocks, one containing a luxury Rosewood Hotel and the other housing 500,000 sq ft of office space.
The development is positioned between Hangzhou鈥檚 Unesco-listed West Lake, a natural freshwater lake surrounded by mountains and temples, and the Qiantang River.
It is a key element of the Wangjiang New Town project, an urban initiative aiming to establish an art and cultural destination within the historic east China city. Scheeren said his designs for the project鈥檚 greenery-covered terraces were inspired by Hangzhou鈥檚 hilly landscapes.
鈥淚nstead of creating a hermetic singular volume, Urban Glen opens a highly interactive space in the middle of the city block 鈥� a space that unites living and working with nature, culture, and leisure,鈥� the German-born architect said.
Scheeren鈥檚 other recent projects in China include a twin-tower office scheme in Shenzhen for JD.com, one of the country鈥檚 largest online retailers.
The architect is also behind a four-tower headquarters in Shenzhen for Tencent, China鈥檚 biggest company. Scheeren beat a host of star names last year to win the job including his former practice OMA, Foster & Partners, Heatherwick Studio, Zaha Hadid Architects and Herzog & de Meuron.
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