Foster + Partners has completed the first office tower, Suhe Centre Office Tower, in Shanghai’s newly revitalized Suhewan district. The Suhe Centre for China Resources Land is the focal point of the Suhewan East Urban Complex, which brings a diverse range of functions to the primarily residential area. The 200-meter-tall, the 42-story signature tower is part of the city’s plan to attract development to the eastern quarter.
The Suhe Centre Office Tower is located next to a new urban public green area and the Shanghai Suhe Centre MixC, with excellent connections to the Line 10 Tiantong Road metro station, and serves as a catalyst for attracting people and new businesses to the area. The expressed structure of the tower is inspired by the industrial aesthetic of the nearby warehouse buildings and the historic Zhejiang Road Bridge. The dark glazing on the tower reduces reflective glare while also contrasting with the stainless-steel structural frame, which has been pulled away from the corners to maximize views.
The Suhe Centre Office Tower is LEED Platinum certified and has a Green Building 2 Star rating. This is due to a comprehensive sustainability strategy that includes rainwater recycling for irrigation, intelligent systems for optimizing the indoor environment and monitoring air quality, bicycle parking, and charging spaces.
Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, stated: “The Suhe Centre plays a central role in activating Suhewan and creating a vibrant new piece of the city. The tower has been designed to enhance well-being, with plenty of natural light and open, column-free workspaces. It offers great views of the Jing An district, the Historical Bund, Pudong Lujiazui, and the Huangpu and Suhe rivers. Its flexible floorplates allow for a range of different layouts to support contemporary ways of working.”
Inside the Tower lobby, undulating wall panels visually extend the 11-meter-tall lobby space, creating a grand sense of arrival for the building’s occupants and visitors. Daylight filters through the louvers above the entrance canopy, casting dancing shadows on the walls and floor. To commemorate the site’s history, a one-of-a-kind reception desk is imprinted with a historic map of the Suhe River.
The tower’s lower levels provide views of the park to the west. As the building rises above the surrounding low-rise residential fabric, stunning 360-degree panoramic views become available. Every corner of the tower is a full-height glass space with a distinct view of the city.
The column-free, flexible office floorplates can accommodate a wide range of layouts, from single to multiple tenancies. Every level has detachable floor slabs that allow for connections. The middle section of the building is recessed along the western façade to allow natural light to flood the office spaces, with a row of scenic lifts located within this recess to maximize views of the park and river.
Emily Phang, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, said: “It has been a great privilege to design the first office tower in Suhewan. We have worked closely with China Resources Land to create a landmark building that offers truly modern workspaces which prioritize city and park views, comfort and flexibility. The Suhe Centre is an exciting new addition to the city and an integral part of their vision to bring new business to the eastern quarter.”
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