The GBE Award for Urban Landmark Office Buildings 2021
The 15th IDA Design Award Honor Award International Design Award
Railway, lake, buildings, park, traffic flow, and pedestrian movement—
In the intricate interplay of chaotic yet orderly urban networks,
a vibrant energy thrives in a corner of Youth Road,
injecting fresh vitality into Wuhan, a strategic hub linking nine provinces.
The project is situated between the first and second ring roads in Jianghan District, Wuhan, at the intersection of Qingnian Road and Xuesong Road. This landmark area, blending history and modernity, poses an inspiring question: what new architectural narratives will emerge as we transition from the towering buildings along Qingnian Road to the lively snack street of Wansongyuan Road?
The Zhonghai Center draws inspiration from Wuhan’s characteristic “Two Rivers and Three Towns” urban pattern. By deconstructing and reorganizing building forms, and combining varied curtain wall textures, the facades exhibit both harmony and diversity, creating rich architectural expressions. This design has become a distinctive symbol of the city, enhancing Wuhan’s identity and sense of belonging.
The Wuhan Zhonghai Center fosters a dynamic, multi-dimensional space centered on openness and sharing, encouraging interaction and communication both inside and outside the building with unrestricted views.
At the heart of the design lies an open urban public space that permeates every aspect of the project. A multi-level, three-dimensional sky garden system connects bustling city streets with tranquil urban parks, reflected in the building’s varying elevations and orientations.
The office tower facade features a combination of three curtain wall textures: the west side displays an elegant, upright two-story vertical grid, while the east side uses a relaxed mix of horizontal lines and hidden-frame curtain walls, creating a rich architectural expression.
Along Qingnian Road, the tower’s curtain wall forms an inverted fan opening between vertical elements, resulting in a facade that is simple yet detailed and cohesive.
The curtain wall design incorporates full-height glass partitions and vertically gridded clear frame glass, effectively reducing direct sunlight on the west side and lowering energy consumption. This design also provides expansive, clear views, enhancing the quality of the interior office environment.
This project captures Wuhan’s urban texture through its upright, concise, and refined architectural form, infusing green and open design principles throughout.
Shifting focus from the building itself to the people within, it successfully achieves the integration and transformation from a “green building” to a “green, people-oriented” space. In 2019, the Wuhan Zhonghai Center earned the LEED Gold pre-certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
Design Notes
Reshaping the Urban Skyline and Stitching Street Life
Years ago, when a drone ascended from the worn insulation and nearly leaking roof of a six-story residential building, climbing to 100 meters, the high-rise buildings to the west and the urban CBD to the east came into view. It became clear that a massive office tower would soon rise here.
Walking east along the northern streets and alleys, local specialty snacks are affordable and readily available, filled with the familiar hustle and bustle of a lively market. The coexistence of smoke and fire with towering buildings creates a unique urban fabric where modern high-rises stand alongside low-rise residential houses.
The decomposition of horizontal and vertical building skins thoughtfully responds to the surrounding urban texture. Tall vertical windows and vertical shading elements provide a high-quality workspace environment. The multi-layered commercial facade at the street corner repeats the architectural language of the high-rise tower, presenting a unified yet restrained expression. Low, protruding canopies at the office entrance, along with the horizontally extended urban plaza, add a sense of openness, inclusivity, comfort, and safety.
A meaningful attempt to reshape and stitch together the urban fabric.
Project Information
△ Location analysis chart
Aerial garden analysis diagram
△ Analysis chart
△ Curtain Wall Structure Diagram
△ Curtain Wall Structure Diagram
Project Details
Project Name: Wuhan Zhonghai Center
Designer: Botao Architectural Design (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd
Project Design & Completion Year: 2022
Main Creators and Design Team: Zhao Guoxing, Pang Yuning, Fu Min, Sun Qiang, Ou Qiang, Zhang Jianqun, Zhang Zhixuan, Wu Shaowen, Zhong Qiannan, Huang Jiadong, Deng Ke
Location: Wuhan, Hubei, China
Building Area: 107,795.08 square meters
Photography Copyright: Bai Tao Design – Chen Guiming
Partners: CITIC Architecture Design and Research Institute, Warner Engineering Consulting (Beijing) Co., Ltd., OPPEIN Landscape Design (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch, Kaiya Ruiheng Design and Planning Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Client: Wuhan Zhonghai Dingsheng Real Estate Co., Ltd
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