Vantone Center / CLOU Architects

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, FacadeVantone Center / CLOU Architects - Image 3 of 20Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, FacadeVantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, WindowsVantone Center / CLOU Architects - More Images+ 15

  • Architects: CLOU architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  80000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Qingshan Wu
  • Lead Architect: Phi Wenhui Lu
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Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, Facade
Main façade of the office tower is positioned toward the intersection, opening up a triangular public plaza at its front. Image © Qingshan Wu

Text description provided by the architects. The Vantone Center is an 80,000 sqm mixed-used complex, merging retail, office space and SOHO apartments into one destination. This project is designed to accommodate the multifaceted demands of a contemporary lifestyle.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape
© Qingshan Wu

The project site is located in the Yuhang ‘Future Science and Technology City’. Five years ago, when we conducted our first site visit in Yuhang District, still lined with villages and farm lands, it was considered the fringes of Hangzhou. The grand-scale development which would remodel Yuhang into a new economic centre awaited commencement, and all its sites were poised for transformation. Therefore, our challenge was to envisage a design solution that could respond to inevitable changes. In the near future, how could our project take a clear position along a rapidly shaping skyline?

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, Facade
The podium has multi-level connections that facilitate and encourage circulation at neighbourhood level. Image © Qingshan Wu
Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape
The Planning of the three towers manages to achieve the density required and offer scenery views towards the Xixi National Wetland Park to the Southeast. Image © Qingshan Wu

The project and its neighbours, including Alibaba’s Xixi Campus, are part of the expanding Central Business District development in this area. As such, it is anticipated that neighbouring sites will grow into high-density communities populated with high-rise towers.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Cityscape, Facade
© Qingshan Wu

In such high density development, it is not uncommon for the constructed volumes to leave the ‘in-between’ as undefined spaces. This sharp contrast of looming towers and low open spaces exacerbates a sensation of uneasiness. Thus our design purpose was to eliminate under-used spaces, and to curate an integrated sense of place. With the entirety of the project being functional and communal, it alleviates people’s consciousness of detachment and offers an additional focal point than the monumental towers.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Cityscape
© Qingshan Wu
Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
The glazed façades of all three towers feature a ‘pixelated’ pattern. Image © Qingshan Wu

The project consists of one office tower that delivers quality workspace on 21 floors, and two 100-meter-equal-height SOHO towers that house flexible duplex units. The towers are joined at the base by a three-floor terraced podium that loops around a central plaza. The two SOHO towers are orientated to have East-West faces, while the office tower is intentionally rotated against this dominant direction. Set back from the intersection of two adjacent roads, the main façade of the office tower is positioned toward the busy crossing, opening up a triangular public plaza at its front that extends naturally into the green belt and streetscape of its surrounding.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Image 17 of 20
© Qingshan Wu

Although moderately separated, the planning of the three towers manages to achieve the density required and offer pragmatic tenant layouts without sacrificing either daylight or scenic views towards the Xixi National Wetland Park to the Southeast. The terraced podium employs F&B and retail spaces, public patios and balconies. Its multi-level connections facilitate and encourage circulation at neighbourhood level for enjoyable commercial and civic activities.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade, Windows
The office tower and two Soho towers are joined at base by a 3-floor terraced podium. Image © Qingshan Wu

The curtain wall façade of the three towers features a pixelated pattern outlined by white granite stone cladding. In addition to the gridded outlines, a number of rectangular pixels on the office tower pop out as floating bay windows. These staggered boxes add another lively dimension to the building complex, contrasting with the vertical glazed skin on the SOHO towers to maintain a balanced visual appearance.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade
Some rectangular pixels on the office tower pop out as floating bay windows. Image © Qingshan Wu

At present, the Yuhang ‘Future Science and Technology City’ is unveiling its undulated silhouette. Our project’s character is distinguishable against the vast development. The finished towers – two parallel and one rotated – “stretch upwards” facing their focal point, while the podium anchors itself to the ground. Winding pedestrian passageways that circulate inwards are more intimate to the passers-by, and terraced patios and balconies encircle into generous gathering spaces. Being in a somewhat monotonous and repetitive neighbourhood, the Vantone mixed-use complex hopes to generate some inviting spatial transitions and visual variations.

Vantone Center / CLOU Architects - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Qingshan Wu

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Project location

Address:Hangzhou, 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: "Vantone Center / CLOU Architects" 15 Oct 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/926405/vantone-center-clou-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Qingshan Wu

余杭未来科技城万通中心 / CLOU Architects

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