R&D Center "Looks Towards Beijing" With Calligraphic, Symbolic Form

R&D Center "Looks Towards Beijing" With Calligraphic, Symbolic Form - Facade, Cityscape
View from Ground Level. Image Courtesy of J. J. Pan & Partners

The Beijing city district of Wanjing has traditionally been a gateway for people entering the city. Its name literally translates as “Looking Towards Beijing.” J. J. Pan and Partners seek to renew that title with the design of Beijing Automotive Group’s new Research and Development Center. Taking inspiration from the character 北 (bei), which signifies openness, as well as Beijing itself, this mixed use building is meant to become a symbolic landmark both for Wanjing and for the company it houses.

R&D Center "Looks Towards Beijing" With Calligraphic, Symbolic Form - Facade, Cityscape
View from the End of the Street. Image Courtesy of J. J. Pan & Partners

The Research and Development Center’s sinuous form will sit on two separate plots of land bisected by a public roadway. The northernmost lot will host a five story structure that hold exhibition space, an auditorium, and shopping, while the southern lot will be the site for two 18-story office towers. These buildings will connect by bridging the roadway, forming a literal gateway to the city of Beijing. The placement of the towers minimizes shading on adjacent buildings, and the fluid curvature of the complex’s walls allow for direct sunlight and natural ventilation of the interior. This curvature, based on Chinese calligraphy, blurs the physical boundary between interior and exterior space. The architects state that in this design, “Nature, people and automobile coexist harmoniously, delivering the ethos and philosophy of the client and establishing a comprehensive corporate identity.”

R&D Center "Looks Towards Beijing" With Calligraphic, Symbolic Form - Cityscape
View of the Towers. Image Courtesy of J. J. Pan & Partners

To facilitate stack effect ventilation and bring natural light into the interior, the structure makes use of a light well. Geothermal, radiant cooling and green roofs are also used to regulate temperature. The building’s form naturally diverts northern winter wind, and the roof ventilation ports can be closed to conserve heat during colder months.

  • Architects

  • Location

    Wangjing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
  • Architect in Charge

    Joshua J. Pan, Chungwei Su
  • Design Team

    Robin C.K. Tang, Yen-Chi Hsu, Chia-Yu Hong, Lee-Jen Lin, Yi-Chen Yuan, Hsin-Chieh Shen
  • Client

    BAIC Group
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of J. J. Pan & Partners
  • Location

    Wangjing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of J. J. Pan & Partners

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Project location

Address:Wangjing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: Connor Walker. "R&D Center "Looks Towards Beijing" With Calligraphic, Symbolic Form" 20 Jun 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/518483/j-j-pan-and-partners-design-calligraphic-r-and-d-center-for-beijing-automotive-group> ISSN 0719-8884

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