Surrounded by multiple Metro lines and arterial roads, it is closely connected to the Lujiazui CBD in the west and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park in the south. The development occupies an inverted L shape site along a tributary of Huangpu River, and is bordered by iconic commercial buildings from the 1990s.
The plot is divided into two by a public road, with green space in the east, and two high rise office buildings and other ancillary functions in the west. A podium is set to bridge the twin towers, and is equipped with F&B and retail services to meet the needs of the office professionals.
The design adopts a compact architectural layout to create three-dimensional public space within the site. A semi-enclosed courtyard between the twin towers enables a multilevel sunken garden and landscape courtyard.
Terraces and a podium rooftop were built to provide a variety of outdoor social and leisure space, and a café is set within a standalone pavilion on the open courtyard.
The design concept of ‘setting sail’ is derived from the crisscrossing rivers in the area. The staggered placements of rectangular blocks and the crisp linear facade lines conjures up the image of a sailboat. The subtle curves on the podium roof emulate propelling sails.
Composed of transparent glass curtain walls and tiered aluminium honeycomb panels, the facade design provides efficient shading for the interior space in a contemporary manner.
The overall floodlighting of the tower accentuates the clean lines of its surface, while wall washer lights are conscripted to emphasise features on the podium roof, refuge storeys as well as the tower crown. As night falls, the tower crown illuminates as a sail rising up the sea surface.