The Essence Financial Building is another variation on the theme of the traditional prismatic tower by these architects. In this case, the main feature of the project is in the layout: the architects proposed to move the “pivot” of the building from its usual position in the center close to one of the edges of the structure, which is square in plan.
As a result, most of the area of each floor received a free plan, which is especially convenient in China, where a thriving economy gives rise to unusual forms of cooperation between workers, requiring unexpected planning decisions.
In addition, the tower shrinks and expands: in particular, the area of the podium and the part occupied by the client of the Essence project is larger than that of the other floors.
In the middle of the building there is an observation deck, which is adjoined by tiers with an entertainment program. Below it will accommodate small tenants and the Mintaian company (the second customer of the project), and at the very top of the building - a club.
All four facades will look different, depending on the proportion of the sun's rays falling on them and the views of the city: the eastern and western facades are almost closed, the southern one received large windows in the lower part, where the sun is less, and the northern one is transparent.
As a reminder, this is the second project of OMA architects in Shenzhen: their exchange building will open there in April 2013.
N. F.
