The Tencent Headquarters is located in the high-technology district of Nanshan, Shenzhen city. The project is situated on Shennan Road and occupies a site area of 6,000 sq m. The entire development will provide a gross floor area of approximately 70,000 sq m at a planned building height of 150 meters. As one of the most famous information and technology companies in China, Tencent required a building that would hold its staff, but also maintain a specific image of the firm. Because many Chinese use the program QQ and other products of intelligent communication, the architects, NBBJ took their inspiration from the latest high-tech design and products.
     To express the company culture and all things modern, the designers used three-dimensional curves with high-tensility to suggest motion. The Tencent corporate headquarters reflects the recent design and lifestyle trend of slim and sleek products. From computers and telephones to apartments and cars, products are physically meant to reflect their high-tech capabilities and forward thinking. The shape of the building calls to mind QQ's edge, as the building tapers at its the top floors. The lines create a three-dimensional shape with the curve speeding up towards the top of the tower. The facade design uses sloping lines on its edges to create a streamline design, similar to the detailing found on high-speed boats, cars and planes. Using computer generated shapes and taking inspiration from the latest vehicle design, the Tencent building is thoroughly futuristic.
     Part of this forward-thinking design is the rooftop space. A sky-high, tree-lined garden sits on the roof of the building, providing employees with a unique green area. An oval reflecting pool is at the garden's center, with ample space for walking, sitting and talking. A steel mesh covers the indoor garden with openings for sunlight and air to come through, a perfect location for company and promotional events.
     Thornton Tomasetti is providing building skin consulting services to the architect. Although the design calls for 15 skin systems-extensive unitized curtain walls, a number of long-span glass walls, ETFE pneumatic cushion atria, and two cable-net walls.
     Using Rhino software, Thornton Tomasetti met the challenge of designing box frames with the purpose that they are easy to fabricate, assemble, hoist and install. In addition, the design is capable to handle water and wind loads of a typhoon zone. A notable architectural feature is the saw-tooth shaped box panels that cover the facade, and extend outwards by up to 1.5 meters from the building structure. They create a textured aesthetic and support sustainability objectives by providing self-shading to reduce energy consumption during the hot summer. The buildings are expected to achieve LEED Gold and to perform as a China Green Building 2 Star accredited green building.
     Developed by Tencent Holdings Limited and designed by NBBJ/Tongji LDI, construction of the superstructure is in full progress.


Photo: Courtesy of NBBJ