NBBJ has been selected to design the new headquarters for Chinese tech giant vivo, located in Shenzhen’s Bao’an District. The project features a 32-story tower surrounded by a series of green terraces, emphasizing employee health and well-being. Robert Mankin, NBBJ’s partner in workplace design, states, “Today’s workforce thrives in environments that blend nature, health, and work seamlessly throughout daily life.” The vivo headquarters exemplifies mobility, sustainability, and prioritizes the well-being of its occupants.
The design integrates the texture of the surrounding city while preserving coastal views. A prominent staircase rises from the public square with retail spaces, connecting a sunken garden to the fifth floor. This staircase links the vivo flagship store, retail entrance, dining hall, conference rooms, and staff café. The tower spirals upward to the “atrium,” a multi-level space featuring terraces and gardens on the mid-level floors, offering areas for activities, meetings, and panoramic views of the bay.
The spiral tower stands 150 meters (492 feet) tall, with a glass façade featuring horizontal panels that provide sweeping sea views. Each floor incorporates greenery, with a central green core strategically placed throughout the building. These natural spaces offer employees opportunities to connect with nature during meals and breaks.
NBBJ applied a stepped landscape approach reflecting the diverse ecosystems of southern China’s forests, transitioning from ground level to mountaintop. At the base, sparse, low-lying vegetation mimics the forest edge. Moving upward into the courtyard, the landscape becomes denser with subtropical mountain forest vegetation. Finally, the upper terraces feature sparser, alpine desert-like vegetation, embodying Shenzhen’s rich local ecosystem.
From street level, the building creates a welcoming atmosphere, designed to feel as close-knit as a family environment. The guiding platform on the first floor invites employees, visitors, and shoppers alike. The building’s slight tilt integrates it with the adjacent urban green belt, enhancing pedestrian experience. Visitors and staff can enter from the street and ascend via stairs or escalators to the main hall on the third floor.
Each floor is designed to promote flexibility and collaboration, fostering creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. Beyond expansive office spaces, floors include areas for teamwork, social interaction, quiet work, and relaxation. The open floor plans allow adaptability to evolving work styles and future needs.
From a sustainability standpoint, the design incorporates permeable façades and landscaping to facilitate water drainage back to the surface. Rainwater is harvested in underground tanks for reuse. The building’s geometric form casts summer shadows while maximizing winter daylight. Construction began in 2020, with completion expected by autumn 2025.
Project Information:
Project Name: vivo Headquarters
Location: Shenzhen, China
Architectural Firm: NBBJ
Owner: vivo
Status: Under construction, expected completion in 2025
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