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RMJM won this international design competitionfor a new campus development for HuaweiTechnologies. The scheme incorporates offices,laboratories, a data centre and civic plaza andis located to the south of Nanjing, one of thefour great ancient capitals of China.

Responding to the client's brief, the RMJMteam's design incorporates a simple, orthogonallyarranged architectural composition, with thefocus on sustainable and technical aspects ofthe scheme.

The masterplanning of the site has a synergywith the relationship between the PurpleMountain and the tranquillity of the YangtzeRiver. Integral to the scheme is the integrationof the natural typography of the surroundinghills and valleys, with the landscaping beingbrought through the scheme, blurring the edgesbetween the built and soft environment.

The key objectives for the development were:- To create a development that enhances and

embraces the existing natural environment- To create a development that provides a positive

contribution to the surrounding urban context

- To create a development that is highly secure,elegantly detailed and flexible enough to meetall Huawei's future requirements

The design approach has placed the highestpriority on preserving and enhancing the existinglandscape. The three naturally occurring valleyswithin the site are reinforced through denseplanting along their upper slopes and theintroduction of a series of water channels flowingcontinuously along their base. Echoing thestrength of Nanjing's setting between ZhongShan Mountain and the Yangtze River, theplanning of the development locates all thebuildings within the base of these valleys,embracing the continuously flowing water andensuring a fully integrated relationship betweenarchitecture and landscape.

Buildings are arranged around a series ofinterlocking courtyards, creating various layers ofdefensible yet permeable open spaces.

Regular openings at ground level enable thewater, vegetation and topography to runthrough the buildings. Environmental analysishas ensured these openings are orientated to

Huawei Research & Development CentreRMJM

allow the passage of cooling summer breezeswhilst sheltering the courtyards from the colderwinter winds.

The organisation of the masterplan divides theoffice and laboratory accommodation into fouridentifiable districts within the more secludedzones of the site. The central valley is richlylandscaped and forms the primary focus of thescheme, beginning at a large open water bodyat the main entrance to the development,running through a sheltered civic plaza to aseries of terraced gardens. The staff canteenframes this civic plaza providing a central socialfocus at the heart of the site. The high securitydata centre located to the rear of the site forsecurity is clad in translucent white glass as it sitsas an illuminated beacon providing a positivelandmark for the development.

Vehicular circulation is restricted to the perimeterof the site, with a network of landscapedpedestrian routes provided between buildingsand across the hillsides to ensure the two arecompletely separated.

The architectural design employs a classic material

China Region

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palette on a highly modular basis, maximisingthe benefits of increased construction qualityand speed of prefabrication. Each courtyard isframed by a pair of complementary façadetreatments, one of depth and recess the other ofveiling and tension creating a visual contrast inany vista through the site. The buildings employa range of sustainable strategies in order tominimise the environmental impact of thescheme and reduce their lifetime running costs.These include utilising the thermal mass of thestructural frame, insulated green roofs, heatrecovery systems, water recycling strategies andhybrid natural ventilation systems using 'eco-shafts' to reduce the dependence on conventionalair conditioning systems.

Name of : Huawei Research &Building Development CentreLocation : Nanjing, ChinaClient : Huawei TechnologiesSkills : Architecture,

masterplanning,landscape design,interior design,environmental strategy

Site Area : 454,000m2

Facilities : R&D, data centre,convention facilities, office

Building Height : 15-25m

5-storey atrium

Outdoor view looking into the atrium

The staff canteen forms the central social focus at the heart of the site

One of the orthogonally designed buildings and interlocking courtyard

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China Region

Once again I am on a plane to Greater China,this time to Chengdu, one of my favorite citiesin China. I have been coming here for almostfive years. Here we have done some of ourmost creative works, where I find the peoplevery receptive to new ideas and have goodartistic sense.

We recently completed an architectural project,the Xilin Sales Pavillion for Chengdu VankeReal Estate Co., Ltd. The project wasextremely fast track, as many China projectsare, taking about eight months from start ofdesign to move in. With such a tight schedulea lot of close coordination with the client andcontractor was necessary and the designneeds to be quite simple.

The project takes the planning principle of aChinese courtyard house with an entry court,front garden, a main pavillion, side pavillionwith support facilities and a back garden thatleads to the show flats exhibition area.

Inspired by traditional Chinese paper cutting,we used a cast fibre cement lattice screenwith a Chinese motif as a sun screen to wrapthe exterior of the pavillion, giving the buildinga translucent outer skin, letting in soft, diffuseddaylight into the building interior. The samecement screen is used as a landscape elementin the entry court, framing the landscapegardens and giving a stark contrast to thewhite washed garden walls and greenvegetation. Water features are used as partof the landscape element to create reflectionponds for the pavilion, which becomes a verydramatic feature at night.

Taking the concept of a Chinese courtyardhouse, the sales pavillion is a simple post andbeam structure with a glazed courtyard in themiddle above the model display. The sameexterior architectural articulation is carried toinside the pavillion. Here the cement screensare replaced by timbre screens of the samescale, creating a continuity between the insideand outside spaces.

Xilin Sales PavilionCL3

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China Region

Another recent project in Chengdu is theinterior design for CR Land Showroom ofChina Resources Land (Chengdu) Ltd.Situated inside a contemporary structure, theproject aims to showcase the propertydevelopments of CR Land within an artisticenvironment. The internal spaces consist oftwo levels, with reception and showroom areaon the ground level, and a ramped gallerialeading to the second level with guest lounges,conference and back office area. Using lightas a theme, we created four large installationpieces with neon light, florescent light, LED

light and incandescent light bulbs respectively,to guide visitors to various parts of theshowroom.

Drawing inspiration from modernist artists,other installation pieces and furniture aredesigned, including an eight meter tall redpergola linking the showroom spaces.

The material palette used are mainlymonochromatic with cement boards, stainlesssteel, black slate, white wash wall and whitemarble floor.

CR Land ShowroomCL3

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China Region

English First Mega Centre is a recent projectin Shanghai for an English language trainingschool. With an area of 5,100 m2, the schooloccupies two levels of a commercial podium,linked by an eight meter high atrium. Thelower level is used for teaching and the upperlevel is the faculties and administration office.With a concept that learning takes place notonly inside the classrooms but moreimportantly should be among the students,we focused the design on a series of openrecreation spaces like café, snooker area,stadium, lounges, etc, where students andfaculties can interact. The atrium, the symboliccentre of the school where the students andfaculties are divided onto two floors, wasconverted into a stepped stadium which linksthe two floors physically, resulting in agathering space where movies are screened

in the evening. Suspended over the stadiumis the boardroom with a glazed opening in themiddle of the floor with a view back into thestadium. Substantial structural modificationwas done in order to create this interactivespace.

Having worked in China for a few years, Ihave learnt to overcome some of thedifficulties, namely workmanship and materialavailability. Nowadays, a lot more materialsbecome available in China, and we would tryto use simple, locally available and sustainablematerial and focus more on spacial quality ofthe design. In terms of workmanship, we findthe contractors are usually keen to learn andwork with us, however, close supervision iskey to a well finished project.

English First Mega CentreCL3

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China Region

A Modern JiangNan Water-Town

As the only well maintained historic water-town in Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is also the originof where Shanghai began. This project siteis at adjacency of the entrance into the historicwater-town. This is a commissionedconceptual master plan for a local developerin seeking government's endorsement.

The master plan is asked to provide touristretail, cultural life-style, food & beverage,various performing venues, waterfront resort& boutique hotel, and a JiangNan SOHOcluster; on a flat site of 176,425 sq.m. Thetotal Gross Floor Area is 150,000 sq.m. aboveground and 100,000 sq.m. in basement. Tobe consistent in atmosphere with the historicsector, the site coverage is at 40 to 45% andthe building height is controlled at 12 metersin the new development.

Planning Concepts

The planning concept has adopted the "Ice-Crack" pattern in traditional JiangNan cultureas a reference fabric for streets layout andmassing formation, together with sets of three-dimensional network of people movement;

Zhujiajiao Master PlanShanghai, ChinaRonald Lu & Partners

the result will be a stereoscopic modernJiangNan water-town.To form a formal central open space as apeople collector, opera house and a piazzaare inserted there as an open cultural spacein this high density community.

Waterway is laid to run through and link allvarious zones in different parts of the masterplan, it is designed to be city fabric at thebottom layer. Over the one to two storiesstreet blocks, sky-bridges are spanning fromwest to east leading people into the historicsector of the water-town.

Architectural Applications

As controlled by the master plan on thebuilding height and the massing form, thearchitecture is conceived as a series ofmaterial composition, to signify the contentswithin. Besides scale, sloping roof togetherwith penthouse, and walled structure; areelements to be associated with thearchitectural style of the neighboringvernacular JiangNan water-town.

On the major portion of the building blocks,the retail and commercial architecture is to

be made out of frosted glass walls and slopingcorten steel screen-roof. On the waterfrontresort hotel, the blocks are built out of pre-cast masonry walls and sloping lead metalroof. And, on the JiangNan SOHO villas, theyare made out of stonewalls and slopingstainless steel roof.

The entire development is thought of as asetup for eventful street-life with multi-dimensional layers, modern architecture butembracing traditional vernacular values. It isalso setting example of how new developmentcould be transitional with heritage, and stillin contemporary language.

This project was honored with People's ChoiceAward of 2007 The American Institute ofArchitects Hong Kong and one of the selectedexhibitors in the 2007 Shanghai InternationalCreative Industry Week.

Architect : Ronald Lu & PartnersDesign / Completion : 2007/2010GFA : 250,000 sq. m.Client : Shanghai Zendai Commercial

Investment Co. Ltd.

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Middle-East Region

This government ministry headquartersbuilding provides various functions for thepeople of a country in the Middle East. Thecomplex includes offices for the Chairman,Deputy Chairman and Secretary General,various public committees and departments,a prayer hall, multipurpose theatre hall,hierarchical entrances and ample parking.The concept of the design is the "People'sCourtyard", a symbolic household unit for thecountry, within which the sense of securityand at the same time, the degree of intimacyis elaborated.

The project area is literally enclosed by a"desert" and the insertion of such courtyardin the middle of nowhere would bephenomenal. By undulating the ground plane,not only the car parking spaces are screenedoff, but it also provides the public anexceptional landscaping experience atop withthis iconic breathing space in the region. Inthe centre of this landscape is a large, tonedegg-shaped structure that acts as the focal

functional hub of the complex. It is cradledbetween two office buildings, one curvaceousin silhouette and plan, the other an angular,facetted piece that "bends" around the egg,hence creating an inner courtyard - the "majlis"to the community.

The two office building blocks are designedto look as if it is emerging from the soil; havinga dialogue with the landscape; and havingthe character of an extension of the land. Byintroducing the two arms, the structure is readas a tubular channel on one side, and asmooth skin on the other. These twocomplementary elements intertwinecoherently as every natural occurrence, simplylike mother and child, day and night, sun andmoon, point and space, solid and void ....

The smooth skin and the tube structurescomprise three separated entrances for thepublic, staff and VIP. They each are sited at120 degrees apart. This equilateral triangularrelationship harmonizes the arrangement of

the building forms and its function. Togetherwith the egg shape ceremony volume in themiddle, the equilibrium of the building massis achieved.

Project Data

Location : Gulf RegionProject Size : 16,000 sq.m.Project Date : 2006Completion Date : 2012Architect : Leigh & Orange LtdConsultants : Davis Langdon & Seah

Hyder Consulting LtdSinclar Knight Merz GroupPelton, Marsh, KinsellaAl Khatip CracknellForm & StructurePacific Lighting

Government Ministry Building inthe Middle EastLeigh & Orange Ltd

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China

Upon its completion, the Pentominium Towerat Dubai Marina will potentially be the tallestresidential building in the world. Articulatedas the fusion of two widely knownterminologies in the residential sector - thecondominium and the penthouse - it is a high-rise 516-metre skyscraper offering a singleunit per floor, containing all the amenities andpremium luxury features expected in a modernbuilding of this type. The tower is also astunning answer to a set of unique challenges.

Context & conditionsA crucial part of Pentominium's project briefwas the need to respond to the high densityand close proximity of neighbouring structuresand the extreme environmental factorsinherent to Dubai. The Aedas team, led byDesign Director Andrew Bromberg, met thesechallenges primarily by giving the building aunique general configuration of two differentsides centred around a shared core. One sideis a simple extrusion that extends to the fullheight of the tower. This side is primarilysouthern-oriented and utilises a system ofbalconies and vertically layered glass tosignificantly reduce solar gain. As the buildingascends, this layer of glass broadens, therebyforming an integral windbreak that effectivelyshields the balconies from the powerful windsexperienced at higher elevations.

PentominiumAedas Ltd

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Aerial View - South

Aerial View - South West

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By contrast, the opposite side of the buildingtakes on a segmented profile, alternatingbetween apartment volumes and voidscontaining sky-gardens. The former volumescomprise of six five-storey-high pods that clingstructurally to the building core. Theiralternation with garden voids allows for anengaging and highly functional mix ofcommunal and/or semi-private spaces, andthus enables the tower to "breathe" within itsdense context.

The influence of wind loadingThe structural design of tall buildings in theGulf region is influenced to a great degree bythe demands of wind loading factors. Certainly,as new buildings in this region and elsewheretend to be simultaneously taller and moreslender than their predecessors, they alsobecome increasingly susceptible to cross-wind dynamic response, also known as "vortexshedding". This can in turn lead to both largeaerodynamic loads and uncomfortableaccelerations (swaying) for the buildingoccupants.

The irregular vertical profiles of Pentominiumare the key to thwarting these commonproblems. Thorough analysis of aerodynamicforces at work in the region of the buildingsite and meticulous "tuning" of the building'sgeneral and detailed form has resulted in ashape that works effectively to break up theformation of vortices that would otherwisegenerate large and undesirable cross-windresponses. Because of its unique looking -and meticulously refined - architectural form,Pentominium will experience loads andaccelerations that are unprecedentedlymoderate for a building of its equivalent heightand slenderness.

Innovative direct lift systemAnother notable challenge evolved from theclient's preference for a vertical lift shaft withoutthe lobby transfer system commonly employedin buildings of this stature. In Pentominium'scase, a "direct" lift system would necessitatean unprecedented straight run of 500 metres.To achieve this, a series of major design andengineering challenges had to be overcome.

Pentominium

Of particular concern was the undesirable"stack effect" that would result from theenormous differential in air pressure andtemperature between the building's lift shaftand the ambient conditions outside the shaft.As it was determined that conventional HVACsystems would be inadequate to overcomingthis effect completely, the design andengineering team sought alternative meansto lessen or eliminate its impact. The taskwas complicated by the fact that precisepressure patterns on each floor differ accordingto the sizes and heights of the variousopenings and leakage paths into the building.An excellent collaborative effort between liftengineering specialists and the Aedas teamresulted in the development of a verticaltransport system which meets clientrequirements whilst providing an excellentmargin of safety, efficiency, reliability andease of operation.

A new icon of originalityPentominium's elegant form and innovativearchitectural design will make a striking visualimpact on the Dubai skyline. With itsunprecedented slenderness ratio of 1:14.3(width-versus-height), the end-result is a verythin, lightweight 516-metre tower that takesits place naturally within a setting of extrudedneighbours, whilst still maintaining a powerful,iconic presence that is uniquely its own.

Pentominium: key factsDevelopment type: Residential towerProgramme residential site area: 3,500 sq-mFloor area: 111,730 sq-mBuilding height: 516mLocation: Dubai, United Arab EmiratesAwards: CNBC Arabian Property Award 2006(Best Apartment, Best Development, BestArchitecture, Best Property, Best High-RiseArchitecture)

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Observation Deck

Pod Gardens

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Unsurprisingly given its striking originality, this60-storey luxury residential building evolvedfrom an unusually challenging brief. In 2006,Empire Holdings approached Aedas, the well-known global architecture practice, to workon a design for a prime 7,013 square-metreplot near the coast at Al Sorouh Abu Dhabiin the UAE. Bordered by three major streets,the site is part of a larger masterplan thatplaces a clutter of potentially iconic buildingswithin close visual range of Empire Tower. Itwas vitally important to the client, therefore,that the design "cut through" with a singularvisual presence.

A challenging siteLed by Design Director Andrew Bromberg,the Aedas team began their effort byintensively scrutinising the site and discoveringthe challenges and advantages it posed.Among the latter are ocean views to thenortheast and park views to the southwest.Among the former was the immediatepresence to one side of the site of a largecommercial tower. The Empire Tower evolvedits response to both through an outstandingbalance of form and alignment.

Evolution of the formThe tower's eye-catching form grew from thedesire to maximise its street-level presencewhilst establishing an identity apart from itscommercial neighbour. Thus, its form splays

Empire TowerAedas Ltd

Empire Tower - Day View

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widely at the base, like the root system of atree, inclining away from the street as itprogresses upwards before transitioning toa moderate slant in the opposite direction.Contrasting with the sheer surfacing and softcontours of the building's "face" are ninesharp-edged "blade" structures defining itsflanks, six of which rise from ground level allthe way to the tower's 238-metre total height.Apart from its undeniable visual impact, thetower's complex form brings the practicalbenefit of enlarging the view corridor past theneighbouring commercial building to the seaone block away. The "blades", meanwhile,serve to maximise individual units' frontage,and hence their views. Overall, 70 percent ofthe tower's units boast sea views, with theremaining 30 percent enjoying superb viewsof the nearby park.

Adding yet further characteristic detail toEmpire Tower are its south-facing balconies.Besides allowing residents' an even widerand more intimate view of their surroundings,they serve the practical purpose of shadingthe apartments below. The southern façadeas a whole has been angled to avoid directsolar gain. Conversely, the tower's north faceis oriented to maximise natural light. Theblades, meanwhile, are clad with an insulatedglass curtain wall. Thermally efficient and fine-tuned to match local climatic conditions, theglass also makes a contribution to thebuilding's aesthetic imprint thanks to itsdistinctive tint and reflectivity.

Inherent sustainabilityLiterally underpinning this unusual form is aninnovative - and extraordinarily efficient -structural scheme. Rather than placing thebuilding's shear walls in their traditional locationalong the inner side of the core, at EmpireTower they are pushed to the outer edge ofthe corridor. At a stroke, the effect is to widenthe structural base, reduce the distancebetween core and façade and the overallstructural depth, and ultimately, reduce themass of the structural members.

Unexpectedly given its external contours, theresidential units of Empire Tower are largelystandardised in size and layout, though theyhorizontally "shift" in step with the building'sinclination. All 60 of the floor plates that givethe development its 95,411 square-metreGFA are "non-typical". By contrast, the buildingcore is centralised and vertically stacked,maximising ease of construction andfunctionality. Modular units were employedon the eastern and western sides, theirindividual positions progressively shifting toform the structure's distinctive "blades".

Upshot Night View

Model Photo - Bird's Eye View North East Corner Model Photo - Bird's Eye View South West Corner

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Smaller floor plates and a reduced core areaon levels 59 and 60 allowed for the creationof a unique duplex unit.

Upon its completion, Empire Tower will nodoubt take its place among Abu Dhabi's primeiconic buildings.

Empire Tower: key factsDevelopment type: Residential towerPlot area: 7,013 sq-mBuilding height: 231mLocation: Al Sorouh Abu Dhabi, United ArabEmiratesAward: CNBC Arabian Property Awards 2008,Best High-Rise Architecture

Location Plan

Site Plan Rendering

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Middle-East Region

Born out of the vision of his Highness SheikhMohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vise-President and Prime Minister of the UnitedArab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, DubaiMaritime City, a man-made peninsula with anarea of approximately 227 hectares, will bethe world's largest purposed built centre formaritime commence and business. This newiconic city will capitalize on the strengths ofDubai as a regional and global hub for trade,finance and living and create a dynamic urbanaddress for the maritime community to work,build, live and play.

The Dubai Maritime City is only approximately1.5 km away from the most populated areasof the city: Bur Dubai, Deira, and Jumeirah.The Dubai Maritime City will provide the fullspectrum of maritime business includingcommerce, management, retail & recreation,maritime education/research and shipyardrepair and maintenance. The developmentin the Dubai Maritime City comprises severaldistricts including Harbor Offices, The MaritimeCentre, The Marina District, HarborResidences, Industrial Precinct and AcademicQuarter.

Snaking its way up from the mainland andaround the peninsula is Ahmed Bin MajidRoad, which is a highway that circumnavigatesthe development and offers travelers a seasideview on one side, and an urban landscapeon the other side. Financed by KensingtonReal Estate and designed by P&T Architectsand Engineers, the 37-storey KensingtonTower is situated at the Harbor Offices District,the first district one would encounter whenentering the Dubai Maritime City. DubaiMaritime City forms an ambitious district,located in one of the most sought-afterbusiness areas close to the heart of the city,the master plan will serve as a self-sufficientcorporate base for a diverse world ofbusinesses from logistics and trading toservices, retail and recreation. In DubaiMaritime City, comes alive a vibrant districtthat reflects the union between water andcommerce.

The Kensington Tower is mainly an office

building with a small amount of retail spacewhich equipped a helicopter pad located atthe roof top. The total GFA is approximately60,000 square metres and the constructionis due to be completed in February 2011. Theestimated project construction cost isapproximately AED 450 million ( HK$ 990Million ).

Having considered the original design conceptof the master plan and the location of the sitewithin the city. The design concept of thetower is to create an unique landmark byadopting the idea of having a dynamic "blackcrystal", which is very rare and valuable,standing by the marina harbor.

The building form was inspired by theKensington logo - "K". The resulting form isan amalgam of both visions: it is an efficientand unique structure that resembles anabstract "K". This rising crystal tower givesan appearance of sharpness, elegance andenergy. Its dynamic form commands attentionalong the waterfront. The tower envelope iscarefully crafted to carry through this idea toform a series of harmonic proportions. Thetower stands proudly at this prominent site.In response to its urban context, the toweraddresses the important axis along the AhmedBin Majid Road. Looking from the north ofthis axis, the tower, being the vista, is split inthe middle with an irregular slot into 2 bodies.These are composed by ways of differentfaceted triangle planes. The dynamic andenergetic movement are thus created.

The site is fairly exposed to all sides withviews to various interests including waterviews at different directions. Hence, a centralcore is adopted with office space located atperimeter to maximize the full potential of thecharacter of the site.

To pursuit LEED certification is an importantelement of the company's commitment toenvironmental stewardship. The client istaking significant steps to protect theenvironment while providing reliable andaffordable electricity, as well as serve as amodel of sustainable practices. The tower is

designed to be a LEED certified building withat least Silver LEED Rating.

This Grade-A office tower will incorporate allthe latest intelligent building features includingBuilding Automation System, Office /Communication System like raised floor andhigh-speed backbone network, Security andFire Automation Systems etc.

Kensington Tower offers an inspiring executiveambience and a wide range of high-endbusiness facilities such as the Sky Loungeand a conference centre, a fitness centre andswimming pool as well as generous retail areaon the ground floor. The tower also comesequipped for corporate glitz and glamour witha helipad, berths for yachts and direct accessto marina. The in-house concierge serve froman exclusive team of Kensington 'LifestyleManagers' adds that personal touch whichmakes Kensington Tower the perfect addressfor tomorrow's corporate lifestyle.

The structure of the tower is basically adoptinga central structural core with inclined columnslocated at the perimeter of the floor plate plussome local cantilever to handle the variousprojected planes.

Kensington begins an exciting new chapterwith its signature development in Dubai.Kensington Tower at Dubai Maritime City, theworld's first purpose built maritime centre,aims to establish itself as the benchmark ofcorporate luxury.

Other InformationSite Area : 10,199 SQMGFA : 60,174 SQMExpected Completion Date : 2011

Kensington TowerDubai, United Arab EmiratesP&T Group

1. Perspective 2. Night View3. Landuse Plan4. View Analysis Plan5. Site Location6. Site Access Plan7. Section8. Floor Plan

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