Tall & Urban News

After the Bank of Ningbo, China UnionPay, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partner (gmp) have secured the design of the Xiamen International Bank by coming in first place to in an international competition.

The high-rise office building for the headquarters of Xiamen International Bank is located in the financial center of Xiamen’s main island, close to the sea. With its rounded footprint and planned height of 210 meters, it separates itself on the city’s skyline.

The building is vertically divided into three sections. The lower part will house a range of public functions and the large atriums at the main entrance to the south connecting the tower to the surrounding cityscape and the green belt opposite. The plinth of the building is shaped like a mound, with landscaped terraces on which trees provide shade for open-air activities. The western side of the plinth will accommodate a conference hall and a staff restaurant.

The central section of the tower, which is turned by 90 degrees compared to the lower section, faces the water. This part contains large atriums stretching from the south-west to the east-west sides of the tower, creating vistas towards the island and the sea. The atriums dissect the core of the building, conducting daylight into the interior. With its open stairwell, this space connects to the different departments and functional areas of the entire high-rise.     

The rounded shape will also help the XIB headquarters keep energy consumption comparatively low, as the compact building volume has a reduced surface area.

For more on this story, go to gmp.