China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Land Co., Ltd.
Zhiye Plaza Office Tower
Suzhou, China
538,000 SF
The first-place winner of an international design competition, this 18-story office tower represents design predicated on a careful balance of local cultural, environmental, and historical conditions, and the technologically sophisticated requirements of today’s office environments. It is respectful of Suzhou’s landscape traditions, and overtly responsive to its history of waterways and the manner in which they have been interwoven with elements of architecture. An elegant and memorable structure with a clarity of form, the building defines a new gateway for the administrative district within the 70 square kilometer park. The tower and plinth delimit an urban edge and present a grand public entrance to the south as tradition dictates; while sheltering an intimate landscaped park and more active entrance to the north. Access to 161,400 SF of underground parking is carefully incised into this primarily pedestrian environment.