kengo kuma wraps alibaba’s taobao city in brise-soleil
all images courtesy of kengo kuma and associates

 

 

 

japanese architect kengo kuma has completed the headquarters of alibaba group, an e-commerce company based in hangzhou, china. ‘taobao city’, a vast complex developed to meet the needs of the growing organization also includes sports facilities, conference rooms and a library. the design is defined by a series of dynamic brise-soleil shading devices, which not only protect the building from the sun, but also provide a rhythmic and engaging exterior.

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
the complex offers on-site sports facilities, conference rooms and a library

 

 

 

reversing the trend of constructing mulit-storey towers, ‘taobao city’ is relatively low-rise, establishing a clearer and more direct relationship with the natural environment. shallow floor plans provide constant external views of the surrounding green courtyard, while pleated glazed elevations enable ventilation, where 300mm openings draw in fresh air throughout the day.

 

a bridge linking the site’s various programs encompasses the structure, forming an elevated continuum more than one kilometer in length.

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
the low-rise design establishes a clear and direct relationship with the natural environment

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
a bridge linking the site’s various programs encircles the structure

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
looking up at the building’s pleated elevation

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
the design incorporates different shading systems

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
an orange brise soleil adds color to the building’s façade

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
the pleated glazed elevations ventilate the office space

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
internal spaces provide views of the adjacent courtyard

 

 

kengo kuma wraps alibaba's taobao city in brise-soleil
the vast site in relation to the street

 

project info:

 

location: hangzhou, china
completed: 2013
program: office (canteen, gymnasium, auditorium, exhibition hall)
area: 260,000 sqm (2,798,616 sqf)