By Ole Scheeren © Buro-OS
The project comprises approximately 800,000 sq ft of offices, hotel and leisure spaces across two towers linked by the central “Urban Glen” – a built topography that harmoniously blends urban and natural elements. One tower will feature a luxurious Rosewood Hotel under its global lifestyle brand, while the other will house over 500,000 sq ft of prime offices operated by K11 Atelier, renowned for merging art, culture and people in next-generation workspaces.
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.
Ole Scheeren comments, “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. 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.”
