△ Nine-grid Rubik’s Cube © Zhao Qiang
01 Introduction
This project is situated on the south bank of the Qiantang River within Xiaoshan Science and Technology City, Hangzhou. It was constructed during the early development phase of the city. Serving as a key node in Hangzhou’s Yangtze River development, the Science and Technology City urgently requires a landmark that embodies the city’s image and injects vitality into this emerging district.
Facing competition from the established Qianjiang Century City and the newly designated air economy demonstration zone, the client places high expectations on this project’s concept, image, and iconic significance. Against this backdrop, and considering the rise of internet celebrity culture, the design aims to create a distinctive architectural landmark within height restrictions—an engaging and vibrant “internet-famous” building.
△ Project Overall Plan © UAD
02 Concept and Image
The design concept centers on the “Energy Cube,” symbolizing the boundless potential of innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and youthful vitality within the tech city.
Drawing inspiration from Xiaoshan’s local lace culture, this concept is integrated into the dynamic Rubik’s Cube form, combined with a vertical atrium to create a lively, green office environment.
The local Xiaoshan lace culture merges with the dynamic Rubik’s Cube form and vertical atrium to create a vibrant, eco-friendly office building © UAD
The iconic nine-grid pattern © Zhao Qiang
The architecture features staggered, rhythmically stacked block volumes, highlighted by nighttime lighting lines. This creates a 24-hour iconic building along the Hangzhou Ningbo Expressway—a shining symbol promoting the Science and Technology City.
The Magic Cube transforms under nightfall © Zhao Qiang
The Nine Palace Grid at night © Zhao Qiang
△ Neatly arranged blocks © Zhao Qiang
The tower’s facade is inspired by the “Nine Palace Grid” framework and incorporates the local traditional craft of lace-making, weaving a distinctive facade texture that respectfully reflects regional culture. The design also focuses on the integrity of the fifth facade (the rooftop), ensuring the building maintains a seamless overall image.
Exquisite fifth facade © Zhao Qiang
Detailed facade elements © Zhao Qiang
Detailed facade elements © Zhao Qiang
The iconic nine-grid pattern © Zhao Qiang
△ Integrated ceiling and facade cube © Zhao Qiang
△ Integrated ceiling and facade cube © Zhao Qiang
△ Architectural expression inspired by Xiaoshan lace © Zhao Qiang
03 Functionality and Aesthetic Appeal
The graphic design embraces the “square” motif, integrating core functions such as research, offices, entrepreneurial services, and retail to achieve harmony between function and form. The commercial podium consists of multiple “square boxes,” with the gaps between them serving as open entrances and exits facing city streets.
The floor plans revolve around the square theme, establishing a coherent design logic from the inside out © UAD
The floating Rubik’s Cube stands out as a landmark along major city roads © Zhao Qiang
Stacked blocks © Zhao Qiang
Integrated landscape and facade design © Zhao Qiang
△ Main entrance with impressive atmosphere © Zhao Qiang
Indoor atrium © Zhao Qiang
The design not only resonates with traditional architectural streetscapes but also enhances the internal linear commercial flow, making the commercial layout clearer, more efficient, and cohesive. The offset volumes between the upper and lower podium levels naturally create terraces, courtyards, and inner courtyards on the rooftops, significantly enriching the commercial experience and offering ample outdoor commercial space to foster a lively atmosphere.
The tower utilizes a double-layer curtain wall system to balance facade aesthetics with lighting and ventilation needs. The podium’s curtain wall is composed of glass and colorful aluminum panels, expressing a strong technological and rhythmic visual impact through the interplay of colors.
Commercial entrances and facades rhythmically integrated © Zhao Qiang
Commercial entrances and facades rhythmically integrated © Zhao Qiang
△ Gray, black and white facade textures © Zhao Qiang
A welcoming street scale © Zhao Qiang
04 Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
The design extensively incorporates energy-saving technologies to create a comfortable internal environment. The tower’s office floor plan follows the traditional “Four Waters Returning to the Hall” concept, establishing an 80-meter-high internal courtyard.
This design, paired with a controlled building depth, ensures excellent natural lighting and ventilation for both office spaces and core service areas. When the glass skylight atop the entrance hall opens, it facilitates natural ventilation, significantly enhancing indoor air quality.
80-meter-high atrium enhancing office environment © UAD
△ Central courtyard © Zhao Qiang
Stacked blocks © Zhao Qiang
The Nine Palace Grid at night © Zhao Qiang
Stacked blocks © Zhao Qiang
05 Conclusion
Since its completion, the “Rubik’s Cube” has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional balance of concept and image, functionality and appeal, as well as sustainability and energy efficiency. It has gained significant attention and popularity across video media platforms such as “Central Video.”
This landmark will continue to grow alongside the Science and Technology City, witnessing the vibrant urban development on the south bank of the Qiantang River during the Asian Games era.
△ Nine-grid Rubik’s Cube © Zhao Qiang
△ Dynamic variations in street volume © Zhao Qiang
△ Dynamic variations in street volume © Zhao Qiang
Project Information
Project Name: “Energy Cube” – Xiaoshan Science and Technology City Entrepreneurship Valley
Project Owner: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Science and Technology City Investment and Development Co., Ltd
Location: Intersection of Gengwen Road and Qiannong East Road, Xiaoshan Science and Technology City, Hangzhou
Type: Office Building
Total Construction Area: 79,134 square meters
Land Area: 16,667 square meters
Completion Date: May 2020
Architectural Design: Zhejiang University Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd
Company Website: __AI_ST_URL_0__
Main Creative Designers: Chen Jian, Chen Lu
Design Team: Hong Xiaoquan, Tao Jingjin, Huang Wu, Yin Xiong, Meng Liang, Wang Bo, Wu Caifei, Zhang Minmin, Jiang Hao, Yang Xin, Mo Yunfei
Construction Drawing Design: Hangzhou Gome Architectural Design and Research Institute
Architectural Photography: Zhao Qiang
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