Financial Institution in Chengdu
gmp wins competition for new headquarter
In the international architectural competition for the new head office of a financial institution in Chengdu, the design by architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) impressed the jury, and gmp was commissioned with the design. The concept of a staggered building composition won against entries from prominent participants such as Nihon Sekkei (JP), Gensler (USA), Chapman Taylor (GB), Aedas (Hongkong), and AECOM (USA).
The Chengdu metropolis, with its 16 million inhabitants, is the capital of Sichuan Province in Southwest China. The building plot is in a prominent position at Tianfu Avenue, one of the main traffic arteries leading into the city from the south. In the urban design context of this rapidly-expanded neighborhood with its heterogeneous buildings, the architects wanted to create a design that is open to all sides and confidently integrated in the urban fabric. The new head office is a composition of four building volumes that mark the corners of the site and frame a forecourt, which opens towards the east as a landscaped park. Facing Tianfu Avenue is a 113-meter-high office tower that will be visible from afar within the sight axis of this main artery. Towards the east, the building is stepped down towards the avenue. All roofs will have landscaped roof gardens and integrated external terraces.
The main entrance is from the east via the landscaped forecourt, leading to the glazed foyer. This extends through several stories, forming the lofty center of the building ensemble and, at the same time, radiating out into the city with an impressive and welcoming gesture. The staff restaurant, with a roof terrace at the front, is located above the glazed foyer. In addition, employees have the benefit of a generous work-out zone with various sports and leisure facilities. The office floors can be divided into individual offices as well as open-plan areas. It is anticipated that the scheme will qualify for a certification according the 3-star standard of the China Green Building Label.
Winning this competition highlights gmp’s repeated success in competitions for large Chinese financial institutions; following the Bank of Ningbo, China UnionPay, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, gmp had only recently won the competition for the Xiamen International Bank headquarters.
