steven holl: horizontal skyscraper

'horizontal skyscraper - vanke center' by steven holl architects, shenzhen, china
image © designboom


designboom recently visited the 'horizontal skyscraper - vanke center' by new york and beijing-based firm steven holl architects,
while in shenzhen, china. lifted and oriented to direct views towards the nearby mountains, ocean and lake, the structure hovers
above maturing gardens and groves of native bamboo trees. the undulating terrain is now blanketed with greenery, as it was conceived
in early renderings by the architect.

pathways crossing through textured patches of long grasses weave through the site under the branching extensions of the building
leading to the outdoor sunken amphitheater and a central subterranean lobby. steel staircases create opportunities for visitors
to enter the elevated interior of the offices, hotel and apartments.

see designboom's original coverage of this project here.



uppward view of a branch of the building
image © designboom



the undulating landscape converges with the structure
image © designboom



stairway leading into the building's interior
image © designboom



steel staircases lead into the building from ground level
image © designboom



pathway passing below structure
image © designboom



facade and louver detail
image © designboom



sunken amphitheater
image © designboom



louver detail at the end of facade
image © designboom



mounded earth meets the underside of the horizontal building and then drops off to reveal a suspended office space
image © designboom



pathway passes through vegetated gardens
image © designboom



pathway crosses under the branching structure
image © designboom



bamboo grove at base of pier
image © designboom



clusters of inclined columns support the structure in locations where the landscape is level
image © designboom



(left) view through the branching horizontal appendages
(right) building reflecting within pool
image © designboom



---
the 2011 SZHK biennale
in shenzhen, china ran from december 8th through december 11th 2011.
the scale of certain projects is such that the architect becomes not only a designer of buildings but also city planner and landscape
architect and the shenzhen & hong kong bi-city biennale of urbanism \ architecture reflects this in its theme:
architecture creates cities - cities create architecture.
the SZHK biennale is the first to focus on urbanism as an ongoing theme to explore issues of the city as an active agent in contemporary culture.
the program included more than 30 exhibitions, symposiums, panel discussions and performances.
terence riley has been appointed chief curator (he is the first international curator for the event).
the hong kong edition will work to complement the shenzhen biennale in an integrative way and is curated by gene king and
anderson lee currently under preparation and due to open in february 2012.
designboom is the principal international media partner of the SZHK biennale.