Introduction
Fenghuang New City is situated in the eastern part of Tianning District, Changzhou City. Formerly an old industrial zone, it has been designated as a comprehensive experimental area for the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Jiangsu and serves as a pilot zone for integrating industry with urban living in Changzhou. Within this context, the pharmaceutical sector, led by Changyao and Siyao, accounts for 15% of Changzhou’s total output value. The establishment of the Shangyao Group’s Changzhou Pharmaceutical Headquarters is a pivotal step in the region’s transformation.
01 Project Background
Shangyao Group Changzhou Pharmaceutical, the project’s key stakeholder, is a leading pharmaceutical company in Changzhou that integrates drug R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations. After several reorganizations and expansions, the original office building in the city center no longer meets the current office demands, necessitating relocation. Seizing the opportunity presented by regional redevelopment, the Shangyao Changyao Business Center project was initiated. As Changzhou’s first pharmaceutical headquarters complex, it combines diverse functions including offices, hotels, expert apartments, and dining facilities.
△ Site Area Interpretation
The challenge was to design intensively within a limited footprint to accommodate a variety of business functions while projecting a modern pharmaceutical corporate image. The project site, located within a specialized and innovative enterprise cluster prioritized by the region, is poised to catalyze overall area revitalization.
△ Construction Progress and Completion Visualization
02 Corporate Headquarters in the Park
The site borders Zhongwu Avenue, a major city road to the south, and Phoenix Park to the east, offering excellent natural scenery. The project is planned in two phases, with phase one covering about 15,000 square meters of land, an above-ground area of roughly 55,000 square meters, and a total construction area nearing 80,000 square meters.
The main tower is positioned east-west on the western side of the site, facing the park. A shorter auxiliary building runs north-south, optimizing sunlight exposure. This L-shaped enclosed layout prevents self-shadowing and opens fully towards the street corner, maximizing the integration of natural landscape into the campus and embodying the concept of a “corporate headquarters within a park.”
△ Site Block Generation Analysis
The continuous canopy reshapes the spatial scale at the human level, dividing the building’s perception into urban and pedestrian scales. Pedestrians’ views under the canopy are guided to engage with the park landscape, while the transparent ultra-white glass curtain wall beneath reduces visual barriers, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
03 Multifunctional Spaces for a Modern Corporate Headquarters
Unlike typical office buildings, corporate headquarters involve complex layered functions that demand specific building heights, structures, and circulation paths. As the regional pharmaceutical headquarters, the building must accommodate internal office work and provide spaces for visitors, receptions, meetings, training, accommodation, dining, and exhibitions.
The podium’s first through fourth floors house public amenities including the lobby, bank, dining areas, staff canteen, conference rooms, auditorium, and gym. The tower, rising 80 meters on the west side, serves as office space and rental offices for various departments, while the 50-meter slab building to the north accommodates expert apartments and corporate hotels.
△ Business Layout Analysis
Balancing work and life reflects Shangyao Group Changzhou Pharmaceutical’s corporate culture throughout its lifecycle, promoting a dynamic, multifunctional headquarters that fosters new trends in pharmaceutical enterprise office environments.
04 Sleek and Refined Facade
Shangyao Group Changzhou Pharmaceutical embodies an innovative, efficient, and inclusive corporate spirit. The building features smooth, curved forms that echo themes of pharmaceuticals and production lines. It utilizes a vertically concealed, horizontally visible glass curtain wall system to express a high-tech, precise, and pristine atmosphere characteristic of modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.
For facade details, ventilation units are integrated into interlayer grooves to meet daily airflow needs. These ventilators are concealed behind perforated louvers combined with glass panels to form standard modular units installed on site. Aside from the meticulously carved horizontal lines, the exterior facade maintains a pristine glass surface, preserving transparency and visual integrity without obstruction.
△ Wall Section Diagram
△ Curtain Wall Node Detail Drawing
The canopy is crafted from silver aluminum panels offering a futuristic, technological feel. Due to the large grid size and high reflectivity, achieving a smooth, even finish with standard aluminum panels is challenging. Therefore, lighter, smoother honeycomb aluminum panels were selected to ensure a refined appearance at the human scale.
05 Office Space Reflecting Human-Centered Care
The office interior design features muted gray tones, natural wood accents, and green elements symbolizing life. Hexagonal structures inspired by drug molecules are incorporated as decorative motifs throughout the space.
Local, recyclable materials are prioritized for interior finishes to foster a healthy, green, and low-carbon office environment. Abundant rest and collaboration areas, along with greenery, embody the company’s values of cooperation, inclusiveness, and its commitment to health and balance.
06 Creating Transitional “In-Between” Landscape Spaces
△ Aerial View of Flower Cluster
The landscape design embraces the concept of a landmark headquarters with a park-like office setting. Situated at a corner of Phoenix Park, a natural river flows through the site’s southeast corner. The “Corner Park” forms the first landscape node, seamlessly extending the park’s natural scenery.
The internal landscaping follows a linear layout, introducing axes that transition from natural to geometric forms, creating a sense of order. The landscape theme centers on medicinal herbs, with seasonal herb plantings in ground nurseries and rooftop gardens, symbolizing the connection between modern pharmaceutical enterprises and traditional Chinese culture.
07 Conclusion
Through a deep understanding and integration of corporate culture, this project empowers Shangyao Group Changzhou Pharmaceutical with forward-thinking design and garden-style office environments. It pioneers a new model for pharmaceutical headquarters, fostering a welcoming office community that aligns with the industrial upgrade of Fenghuang New City in Changzhou. The complex stands as a new landmark, energizing sustainable development in the region.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Sixth Floor Plan
△ Standard Floor Plan
△ Building Elevation
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Business Center of Shangyao Group Changzhou Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Project Type: Office
Owner: Changzhou Shangyao Dongjian Industrial Investment Co., Ltd
Design Firm: GEN Jianhe Studio
Design Period: March 2020 – December 2021
Status: Under Construction
Building Area: 79,800 square meters
Design Manager: Cui Chenyong
Schematic Design Team: Shan Guowei, Zou Liyang, Yang Ye, Wei Yuanchen, Yang Liu, Wu Zheyan, Wang Xin
Construction Drawings Team: Peng Fuyin, Ma Dan, Zhang Zhen, Zhou Zhiwei, Mao Tongbin, Li Yepeng, Zhang Bin, Tong Xingbao, Ma Yongzhen, Sun Ding, Chen Yihui, Li Zhenglan, Jiang Ruyun, He Junwei, Dong Kai
Interior Design Team: Zhang Chi, Yao Yao, Lu Jinlei, Li Yanhong, Zhang Bing, Li Ying, Wei Qi, Chen Jiaying, Liu Lin, Liu Zhijun, Zhu Li
Landscape Design: Suzhou Puzhu Landscape Design Co., Ltd
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