Minimalism in an environment of expressionism
'it is the least we could do: minimalism in an environment of expressionism.' - Steve Whitford (Partner)
Hybrid typology
Designed by BAU (Brearley Architects + Urbanists), Tonglu Archives Building is located in Hangzhou, China. In China, the perimeter block typology doesn't usually return the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) necessary to satisfy inner-urban densities. This leads to an over-reliance on detached towers to meet FAR requirements. The perimeter block with a tower extrusion, however, presents a useful hybrid.
The advantages of the perimeter block are combined with the capacity of the tower to maximize floor area. (Positive reinforcement of active urban street edges; well ventilated and naturally lit building interiors; and an internal courtyard that has the options of being private, semi-private-semi-public, or public space)
Metal petals
Surprisingly, all facades required vertical screens to prevent unwanted heat gain. Elegantly thin slab edges are projected past the window line and form horizontal ledges to sit vertical perforated metal sunscreens. These screens are closed enough to block the sun, yet open enough to not impede views out. Decks are then cut into the petals to provide outdoor space for each floor level and subtle visual relief to the petals' wall.
Minimalism 1. – Expressionism 0.
The program for this local government building is different: document archives, testing laboratories, staff canteen, a commercial street-front cafe, and a variety of closed and open office spaces. This suggests an architectural articulation of these programs. Besides, the typological hybrid offers an indication of the perimeter building and the tower.
However, rather than exploring these apparent solutions, the questions posed were: What are the program's differences? What are the differences generated by combining the perimeter block and tower typologies? And finally, what is the least we need to do to engage with these differences?
Semi-public courtyard
This centralized circulation strategy creates a semi-public outdoor space and provides opportunities for encounter and exchange among different public departments. It also provides an active area for lunch in a protected courtyard landscape.
The courtyard directly links the public footpath off the main southern entrance to a proposed pedestrian bridge to the northeast of the site. This diagonal shortcut further reinforces the semi-public nature of the courtyard.
Roofscape as displaced landscape
To encourage the staff to get out of the building and enjoy the river frontage or the courtyard, the paving from the ground floor interiors flows directly into the yard and out to the river's edge – a robust strategy for the future, when the ground floor develops more pubic and/or commercial programs.
The tower overlooks the perimeter block roof, and this space provides an opportunity for a significant private outdoor space for the building tenants. A garden pavilion for staff lunches or informal meetings sits within a roofscape that presents as a displaced landscape. The staff canteen opens on to this roofscape. Plant rooms have been disguised as additional garden pavilions.
More visible than we think
In a commercial and retail environment where every building is trying hard to be seen as different from its neighbours, advertising and signage dominate streetscapes. Buildings are becoming extensions of corporate logos and marketing campaigns – a minimal, elegant and calm public building may be more visible than we think.
Project Data
Project Name: Hangzhou Tonglu Archives Building
Project Status: Completed 2019
Location: Tonglu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Client: Tonglu Urban Development and Management Co., Ltd.
Typology: Office
Program: Document archives; testing laboratories; office.
Year: 2016—2019
GFA: 26,700 m²
Construction Cost: RMB 136 million
BAU Project Team: James Brearley, Jens Eberhardt, Chen Zhiyong, Luo Huaili, Steve Whitford, Gao Weiguo, Chen Jian
Builder: Hangzhou Harbour Construction Co., Ltd.
Engineer+Documenting LDI: China United Engineering Company
Photographer：Xia Zhi