Gold Standard
Work has begun in Shanghai on the Foster + Partners and Thomas Heatherwick-designed Shanghai Bund International Financial Centre. The green project is comprised of a hotel, cinema, central plaza and retail mall over 420,000 sq m, with two commercial towers designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. The complex as a whole has been designed in line with China Green Building Energy Standard credentials. Mott MacDonald’s project manager, Cheng Jie, said: “This project is a great chance for Mott MacDonald to demonstrate its skills and knowledge in China. Through multinational co-operation with our buildings team in the UK we have really been able to add value for our client. It is further progress for our business in mainland China, where commercial developers are very active at this present time.” In order to reach the highest possible levels of sustainability, building services have been largely confined to the basement levels to enable green roof systems to be integrated into the design. This also allows for increased efficiency in the office spaces. Construction of the north plot is destined for completion in 2014 while the south side should be fit for use by the end of 2015.
Foster + Partners