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Australian firm secures duo of large-scale master planning projects in China

date added: 14.05.2012

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China

Image courtesy of CK Designworks

Melbourne-based international architecture and planning company CK Designworks has won two more large commissions in China. In Beijing the company is working on a $500m hotel and retail complex, whilst in Chengdu they have been commissioned to design a one million square metre Biological, Medicine, Science and Technology Park.

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China_2

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China_2

Image courtesy of CK Designworks

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China_3

Image courtesy of CK Designworks

CK Designworks Director, Ivo Krivanek said the hotel and retail complex near the Beijing airport is to be developed by the Jinsheng Group, a Nanjing based company headed by Mr. Wang Hua. The Beijing project is comprised of 100,000 sq m of retail space, a 92,000 sq m department store, a 220-room luxury hotel and 150 serviced apartments. Construction will start in September this year and should be finished by the end of 2014.

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China_4

Beijing and Chengdu Commissions, CK Designworks, China_4

Image courtesy of CK Designworks

“Jinsheng Group recently bought a large flower exhibition and wholesale flower sales complex from the Beijing Government and we have used this as the inspiration for our design on the adjoining site; buildings surrounding large floral courtyards and an iconic design for the hotel based upon Alvar Aalto’s famous flower vase,” Mr. Krivanek said.

The Chengdu project was won as part of an international design tender with CK Designworks competing against Chinese, American and Singaporean planning teams. Project leader, Robert Caulfield, Director of CK Designworks said that the Chengdu project demonstrated why the Chinese economy is powering ahead: “It is described as an incubator facility, is government funded and linked to several universities in Sichuan Province and comprises research, development, testing and prototype production facilities for a range of pharmaceutical and chemical products.

“It will eventually employ 50,000 people and is aimed at attracting top research people from around the world. The hope is that a reciprocal research relationship will be established with LaTrobe University so that Australia too can benefit from this facility.”

The development will have three major buildings that will include a residential component for visiting professors and corporate entrepreneurs, an administration building and a 20-level factory that will include research laboratories, lecture theatres, a prototype production section and a display area for new inventions. Mr. Caulfield said: “The building area is twice the site area and there has to be a minimum of 50 percent open space so the development will primarily comprise high and medium rise buildings. The development will have to comply with the principles of Feng Shui.”

Source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com

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