UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

As it has been recently announced, UNStudio is commissioned to design Yongjia World Trade Center in Wenzhou, China. The winning concept by architectural team led by Ben Van Berkel proposes five towers, ranging from 287 meters for the central tower to 146 meters for the smallest. The towers offer traditional mixed-use, due to the fact that the residential apartments are located on top of offices of World Trade Center, therefore the users will experience 360-degree views. Located in the new riverside city of Wenzhou, the complex represents necessary functional shift of the WTC area from a business and financial district to a more sustainable, mixed-use development incorporating cultural and recreational facilities as well as residential layer.

In the words of architects, the landscape of the complex was used as a unifying factor, offering the common ground for the precious singular objects, as it was the main design concept. The continuous podium serves as a green plain for the towers which are in specific dialog with the existing surrounding – they quietly coexist, but still clearly outstand from the environment.

As the concept aims to provide pleasant surrounding for working and living, it offers variety of commonly used spaces such as sky gardens and lounges for residents and gathering places for working people. It also proposes zoning by differently themed areas. This zoning creates diverse green areas that can satisfy the different needs of residents, visitors and business people, ranging from more private rooftop gardens to public green ground level parks and plazas.

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

UNStudio, Ben Van Berkel, Yongjia World Trade Center, Wenzhou, China, World Trade Center, mixed-use, urban zoning, architectural competition, first prize

 

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