Pictured: The incredible ‘infinity loop’ tower that will become the R&D headquarters of China’s biggest smartphone company
- The landmark O-Tower in Hangzhou, eastern China, has been designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (Big)
- The building will be built around a greenery-filled courtyard described as ‘an urban living room for the city’
- The tower will sit between a natural lake, a 10,000-square-metre park and an urban area of the city
Renderings have been released of a new tower in China that has undoubtedly one of the most jaw-dropping designs on the planet.
The landmark O-Tower in Hangzhou – likened to an infinity loop by the designers, Bjarke Ingels Group (Big) – will be the R&D headquarters for China’s biggest smartphone company, Oppo.
While the top floors of the building will be taken over exclusively by Oppo, the lower three floors will be open to the public. The highlight of this space will be a courtyard that’s filled with greenery and described by its architects as ‘an urban living room for the city’.
The landmark O-Tower in Hangzhou – likened to an infinity loop by the designers, Bjarke Ingels Group (Big) – will be the R&D headquarters for China’s biggest smartphone company, Oppo
The O-Tower is destined to become ‘the most iconic landmark in Yuhang, Hangzhou’, according to the designers
While the top floors of the building will be taken over exclusively by Oppo, the lower three floors will also be open to the public
This image depicts the view that employees and members of the public in the building will get when they stand in the courtyard and look upwards
The publicly accessible areas of the building will also include exhibition space, a canteen and workshop areas.
Location-wise, the tower will sit between a natural lake, a 10,000-square-metre (108,000-square-foot) park and an urban area of the Yuhang District of Hangzhou city.
The tower’s architects say that it has been designed with more than just iconic looks in mind. They explain that the building will be ‘environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable’ and a ‘responsible citizen’.
Location-wise, the tower will sit between a natural lake, a 10,000-square-metre park and an urban area of the Yuhang District of Hangzhou city
It is said that the tower has been designed to reduce the degree to which the sun heats the building by 52 per cent. This, they say, will lower the amount of artificial cooling it will require – decreasing its eco-impact
Bjarke Ingels Group (Big) explains that the building will be ‘environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable’ and a ‘responsible citizen’
Bjarke Ingels Group says the construction of the O-Tower will make the city of Hangzhou ‘one of the most important centers of research and development for Oppo in China’
And the architects have put employee well-being at the top of their design considerations.
To encourage social engagement, a series of enclosed terrace-style areas will circle the upper floors of the building, under the sloping O of the roof. These terraces will feature seating where employees can socialise and look out over the views of the lake and parkland.
The tower’s designers say they have further considered employee well-being by designing the windows and angles of walls and other structures to reduce glare from the sun.
To encourage social engagement, a series of enclosed terrace-style areas will circle the upper floors of the building, under the sloping O of the roof. These terraces will feature sofas where employees can socialise and look out over the views of the lake and parkland
The tower’s designers say they have considered employee well-being by designing the windows and angles of walls and other structures to reduce the sun’s glare
Pictured is a proposed entrance for the O-Tower, with a plaza in front. The lower three floors of the building will be open to the public
This image depicts the entrance to the building as approached from the park. Close to this entrance will be exhibition spaces, a canteen and workshop areas
Pictured is the courtyard that will be at the heart of the tower. It will be open to the public and feature plenty of greenery. It’s been described as ‘an urban living room for the city’
On the environmental front, meanwhile, it’s said that the tower has been designed to reduce the degree to which the sun heats the building by 52 per cent – this, they say, will lower the amount of artificial cooling it will require, decreasing its eco-impact.
Hangzhou is a popular holiday spot in China, thanks to its lake and surrounding hills. However, Bjarke Ingels Group says the construction of the O-Tower will also make the city ‘one of the most important centers of research and development for Oppo in China’.
They continue: ‘The iconic expression of the landmark O-Tower designed by Big is perfectly complemented and enhanced by Yuhang’s beautiful and pleasant natural water body and wetland landscape.
‘Looking forward into the future, we believe through our collaboration, Oppo’s Global Mobile Terminal R&D Headquarters will not only be a perfect representation of Oppo’s brand identity and culture, but will also become the most iconic landmark in Yuhang, Hangzhou.’
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