To achieve China’s self-imposed commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2060, the National Development and Reform Commission has launched a revitalization model program comprising 24 projects. As part of this, MVRDV transformed a 1994 office tower into a colorful skyscraper hosting a hotel and a wide range of facilities for the well-being of women and children. Due to fire safety issues and poor energy performance, the building had previously stood empty for a long time.
MVRDV’s sustainable and economical concept aimed to redesign the existing structure without major structural interventions, allowing only small necessary additions. The focus was particularly on the new façade and some spatial adjustments. The one-meter-deep aluminum frames placed in front of the façade not only protect against views from outside but also provide extra shading to reduce heat gain inside the building. At the same time, the interior of the building is still provided with sufficient natural light and fresh air.
The bright colors on the façade are also used inside. Yellow, orange, pink, and green guide visitors through the building, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The location of various functional units such as a library, children’s theater, or “discovery hall” is also communicated to the outside through color. In the multicolored plinth, the facilities for women and children stand out visually from the hotel use above.
In front of the building, physical and visual barriers were removed, and the former parking lot in the courtyard was transformed into a lively public space with a playground, cafés, and restaurants. Featuring barrier-free access and a multi-faceted spatial program, the project quickly became a social center in the business-dominated environment.
The revitalization of the building preserved and reused 80 percent of the original concrete structure. The thus achieved carbon saving equates to the amount produced by nearly 12,000 flights from Amsterdam to Shenzhen. It is expected that in the economically flourishing and rapidly growing metropolis, numerous adaptive repurposing projects for buildings from the same era will soon follow this project’s example.
