Work has started on Foster & Partners' headquarters for a Chinese bank in the city of Hangzhou. The lOOm-high building for CITIC Bank will stand in a new central business district. Its appearance is designed to mimic an ancient ''"dou" or "ding" vessel - a traditional symbol of wealth, dignity and stability. At the base of the tower, a 30m- high A-frame canopy stretches 72m across the ground floor to create the entrance. This leads to the heart of a vessel-shaped central atrium, which rises through the 20-storey tower and encourages natural ventilation. Tiered sky-gardens line the upper floors and a winter garden with a mezzanine accommodates a VIP club and meeting spaces.Wrapped in a bronze-coloured diagrid lattice, the floor plates widen as the tower rises, providing panoramic views. The tower will use recycled grey water and local materials where possible. Foster & Partners' head of design David Nelson said: "Our challenge has been to create a new building which harmonises with its surroundings yet has its own integrity and presence."
展开▼
