Lezza Soho | Zaha Hadid
The construction, which is still underway, is a 207 meter skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in Beijing, which will feature a huge sprawled atrium that is expected to be the highest in the world.
Located in the financial district of Lize – a new shopping, residential and transportation center in southwest Beijing – the 46-story Leeza Soho will feature a mix of offices and shops.
Designed by Zaha Hadid before his death last year, the skyscraper – which is already 20 stories tall – is positioned above a pair of subway lines that diagonally divide the place.
The tower is divided into two halves by the subway and connected by a huge central atrium. As it rises, the atrium rotates 45 degrees to orient the upper floors with the East-West axis of Lize Road – one of the main streets of western Beijing.
Once completed, the 190-meter-high void should be the highest in the world – a title currently held by the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
The shape of the atrium creates convex openings that run to either side of the tower to allow plenty of natural light and views of the city from the center of each floor. The walkways will cross the cavity at different levels while a glass facade coats the two halves of the tower in a single cohesive envelope.
The glazing will be double-insulated and, as each glass in each panel advances, it is tilted to aid ventilation. The intention is to help maintain a comfortable indoor climate in Beijing’s climatic conditions, which ranges from extremes of heat and cold.A public space that connects with the interchange below will occupy the lobby at the lowest level, leading to the public square surrounding the tower.
There will also be space to park 2,680 bicycles plus locker rooms for bathrooms with cabinets. Dedicated spaces for the loading of electric or hybrid cars are located below ground. LeezaSoho’s construction will reach its total height of 207 meters in September this year, with the completion of the tower planned for the end of 2018.
The tower is the latest of four projects that ZahaHadidArchitects designed for Soho China developer, including two others in Beijing. The Galaxy Soho building consists of four main dome-shaped structures, while the WangjingSoho commercial complex features three tower-shaped towers crystal, located midway between Beijing Capital Airport and the city.
“China attracts the best talent from around the world,” explained Soho China Chief Executive Zhang Xin. “It’s important to work with architects who understand what the next generation needs, connecting communities and traditions with new technologies and innovations to embrace the future.”
ZahaHadidArchitects aims to keep energy consumption and emissions low by implementing systems based on real-time environmental conditions.
LeezaSoho is one of more than 30 projects under development by ZHA at the time of death of its founder ZahaHadid earlier this year.
Former Hadid partner Patrik Schumacher is now leading the studio, which has recently completed a new headquarters for the Port Authority of Antwerp and is putting the finishing touches to a pair of skyscrapers in Nanjing.
Available:https://www.dezeen.com/2017/02/16/leeza-soho-zaha-hadid-architects-beijing-tower-worlds-largest-atrium-architecture-china .Act on: 08/08/2017 .
Location: Beijing, China