Design Revealed for Two-Building Complex in Kunming

The undulating design of this tower focuses on the principles of openness and flexibility.

27 June 2019 | Kunming, China

EID Architecture has revealed its design for OCT’s Second Headquarters in Kunming, China. One of three winning schemes selected from a shortlist of six international firms, the EID proposal aims to create a headquarters that responds to the cultural and natural characteristics of the city, while reflecting the ethos of OCT’s commitment to innovation in technology, art, and cultural tourism.

The scheme consists of a headquarters for OCT, a 200-room hotel, exhibition hall, multi-functional theater, service apartment, and retail program. The project is founded on principles of openness and flexibility, with the varied programs distributed vertically and horizontally. The OCT headquarters will occupy the top portion of the main tower, described as a “headquarters in the sky,” while the lower portion will host the hotel and apartments.

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OCT Second Headquarters Tower 1

OCT Second Headquarters Tower 2

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Atelier Ping Jiang | EID Arch

The 200-meter-tall tower is flanked by an apartment tower, connected by a series of fluid platforms of shops, restaurants, and exhibition spaces at the base. The cascading podium terraces are reminiscent of local rice paddies, offering shaded and landscaped areas for public enjoyment. The development also includes two parks, fostering a permeable, pedestrian-friendly interface along the streets.

The towers are defined by a fluid massing, with three ribbon-like outdoor terraces carved out of each shaft. These undulating spaces serve as a spatial continuum of the tower’s sky, while also offering panoramic views of the city. Exploiting the subtropical climate, the outdoor terraces offer an environment of communication and collaboration, while the interiors are designed to maximize daylight and open space, supported by a megacolumn structural system.

The interior features multiple interwoven atria, linking clusters of lounge spaces, work groups, and meeting rooms. A sculptural multi-functional theater is located on the west portion of the site, serving as a new venue for the performing arts.

Combined with the animated streetscape and community greens, the entire project forms a variety of spaces that encourage people to engage with the public realm.

For more on this story, go to Arch Daily.