Designed by Aedas Architects, and situated in the Nanyou district in central Nanshan area of Shenzhen, the Zhongtai Residential Development consists of a 5-storey podium and above it a 33-storey residential building providing 238 units. On account of the site’s lack of pleasant greenery, the design’s primary objective is to inject vitality and improve the urban interface.
The main pedestrian entrance, ancillary retail and community services are located on the east side of the project. The first and second floors of the podium are reserved for retail use, and the third as well as the fourth are where above-ground parking is proposed; on top of them there is a roof garden. At the drop-off area and lobby, the design creates a rich green space to conjure an affable, home-like feeling: pebbles and trees on both sides, boulevard along vehicular entrance, and a backlit feature wall at the centre.
On the tower facade, besides interpellating milky glass and aluminium louver materials, the timber pattern with aluminium cladding are low-emitting materials used to improve indoor air quality; Insulated Glazing Units are adopted to minimise solar heat gain, demonstrating adherence to the eco-conscious objective. Adding into the mix beige and royal grey stone on the podium, the overall facade becomes variegated and pleasing on the eyes.
“The design explores alternatives to maximise green public space, and achieves the ideal of placemaking. Our hope is to create architecture that promotes people’s well-being as well as strengthen urban relations,” commented Cary Lau, global design principal.