Four Sisters
As China’s first special economic zone, Shenzhen has brought miracles in urbanization, industrialization and modernization in the last 30 years. The overall competitive power of Shenzhen is second to Hong Kong, ranking first in mainland China. Located in the south of the Tropic of Cancer, Shenzhen sits under the Subtropical marine climate, making it a livable city with mild weather, abundant rain and long duration of sunshine. It is a place where cultures of various ethnic groups rub shoulders and a showcase representing the most dynamic modern life in China.
In this setting Mecanoo designed a 260,000 m2 ecological urban building complex. Situated at the foot of the beautiful Tanglang Hills, Tanglang Towers are perfectly placed to capture the busy flows streaming along the number 5 Huan Zhong metro line and major new roads circling downtown Shenzhen. The skyline of the four towers’ differing heights (200m, 187m and 174m) echoes the mountainous landscape of the area. Each tower is named after a famous Shenzhen mountain: Lotus, Phoenix, Maluan and Wutong. Together, they form a noble and elegant composition that will become the landmark of Tanglang.
Shenzhen city map: a place of opportunity
As part of Shenzhen’s College Town area the project site offers three main opportunities: the proximity to major new infrastructure, the development of university facilities, business and housing in the area and the scenic beauty of the Tanglang Hills. By taking full advantage of the planned connection to the Tanglang station of the number 5 Huan Zhong metro line, the passing traffic from Liuxian Boulevard and the emergent urban population in its catchment area the complex will be able to fulfil its potential as the major commercial hub in the College Town area. As well as maintaining the Masterplans required view lines across the site the possibility of creating views to the Tanglang Hills from within the site itself will add unique value to the complex. The design approach is to engage closely with the context, provide a functional and pragmatic structure for the required programmes and create a powerful sense of place within the complex itself. The entire complex is based on an 8.4m square grid which is then en- riched by a series of circular spaces that create beautiful entrances, atriums and patios. Functionality and beauty are in this way brought together in harmony.
The complex will comprise 4-star boutique business hotel of 25,000 m2, medium class A offices of 49,000 m2, one-stop experience-based thematic shopping mall of 52,000 m2, mediumhigh class apartments 76,000 m2 and medium-high class housing 56,000 m2. At the same time the Tanglang Towers centre is a beautiful world within itself. A series of stunning atriums, a striking sky lobby, a richly green roof garden, and a spectacular central patio combine to create an unforgettable overall environment. Within this world the individual programmatic elements – hotel, commercial centre, offices, residences and underground parking – work together in harmony and produce a strong synergy. The landmark Tanglang Towers are designed to be more than just a rest-stop along the Huan Zhong metro line, or to serve simply as a local centre for the surrounding neighbourhoods; they will become a powerful, profitable and popular destination in themselves.
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Materials provided by architectural firm Mecanoo