Shenzhen's Slender Tower By Morphosis

Morphosis Architects latest works in Shenzhen is currently under construction. Through the folding of its steel structure, “Hanking Center Tower” merges commercial retail with private office space. It is a skyscraper designed with the notion of breaking away from conventional modern office buildings.

With innovative approach to circulation, social, and work spaces, Hanking Center Tower rethinks the traditional commercial office building typology. The project offers flexible tower office space anchored by high-end retail and dining in the podium. The tower brings density to the suburb of Nanshan and acts as a response to Shenzhen’s growing body of global professionals.

Located on a prominent piece of land along Shennan Boulevard, Hanking Tower’s slender profile redefines the local skyline. Conventional towers often have separate and disjointed volumes defining their various programs while Morphosis’s tower utilizes folded angles to elegantly merge public components in the podium with private commercial space in the tower. A grand plaza surrounds the tower’s podium enhancing public activity at the street level.

The interior is the result of an aspiration to create strong and humane communities with glazed lobbies and skygardens every five floors act as a communal hubs for use by all tenants. Space planning flexibility with natural light and ventilation offers healthier working environments. The masterpiece of the interior has got to be the sun-lit atrium that brings in nature into the building.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is often overshadowed by its more popular cousin namely Hong Kong thanks to the close proximity between the two cities. But Shenzhen itself is an impressive city not inferior to Hong Kong.

Shenzhen's impressive skyline.

 

Religious Tower vs. Modern Skyscraper

One thing that never fails to fascinate me is the beauty of chaos that is so common in most Asian cities that make them unique and distinct from Western cities. 

Western town planning carve out the city into different parts according to functions and roles of each part. You have the CBD in the centre, entertainment precinct in a separate zone while the bulk of the city's population live in suburb away from this centre. This method of planning no doubt will give you a very organised city but it lacks vibrancy especially after working hours when everyone rushes home to the suburbs.

Such thing never happens in Asian cities thanks to the seemingly poorer town planning strategy. Penang is one such city that makes it so interesting and continues to attract tourist from all over the world. There is no clear CBD zone in Penang. There is also no clear suburbs to speak of. Residential towers mushroom in every corners of the island while office buildings scattered in various areas. There is no clear distinction between work and living in its traditional commercial buildings namely the heritage shophouses where people operate their business on the ground floor and live on the first floor.

Asian cities grow 'naturally' much like trees in the forest without too much human intervention in the planning stage. Therefore it is not surprising to witness a scene where the tower of a Buddhist temple would stand gracefully against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers.

The 'let it happen' attitude in Asian town planning seems to be more appealing to me personally as it helps to create cities that are full of energy, life and vibrancy.

Aspen Vision City In Penang

Ever since the second Penang Bridge was opened to traffic in 2014, the development scene has changed dramatically with trends shifting from the island to the mainland side of the state.

With IKEA announced its first store in Penang, Batu Kawan suddenly becomes a much talked about town in the region. The area around the proposed IKEA will be developed into a self-sustaining township in its own right. Aspen Vision City will transform the once lacklustre image of Seberang Perai into development hotspots in years to come.