Office building Moganshan Road by David Chipperfield

Description of the project by David Chipperfield Architects

The ten-storey office building is located in a diversely built area on Moganshan Road near Hangzhou’s tranquil Shuyhan Park. Within this dense context the new building asserts its object-like presence with a clear geometric form. The positioning of the slim building in the middle of the site provides spatial distance to the neighbouring buildings. The volume is placed above street level as if on a stage. The raised level and the modulation of the surrounding exterior spaces allow for diverse transitions from the city into the building.

All stone surfaces of the exterior topography are crafted from the same matt grey basalt. The structure of the building is based on a reinforced concrete frame. The façade clad with large copper cassettes reflects this structure outwards. The area around the windows is clad with smaller sheet copper elements. These smaller elements, which are manually pointed using a standing seam technique, display a degree of refinement, accentuating the surfaces within the overall structure. The rectangular columns along the narrow side of the building enhance the slender appearance. The lively surface of the bronze cladding gives the façade an elegant, vibrant look.

The structure along the perimeter of the building allows for a column-free floor plan inside. Each standard floor consists of one large space, which is arranged like a ring around the central core. Each floor can be divided into two separate units. The floor plans allow for single, group or open plan offices. The lighting of the rooms further supports this flexibility of use. The auxiliary functions are located in the central core. The linearity of the space, the generous ceiling heights and the large windows give the building a loft-like character. While the outer walls are plastered white, oak wood is used for the cladding of the core and the flooring.