SHEAR TOWER
Shenzhen, China
Project
Office and Retail
Client
Confidential
Size
150,000 sqm / 1,600,000 sqft; 388m / 1,270 ft
Collaborators
SZAD, BuroHappold, Front, Robota
CONCEPT:
SHEAR TOWER is a simple square extrusion that has been “sheared” to form three distinct public spaces protected by a stretched mesh wrapper that acts as an external solar shading device. The office spaces are designed for emerging offices and start ups that frequently utilize co working strategies and freelance office workers.
Overall tower view from Shenzhen’s “Central Park.”
Within the greater masterplan, the tower is oriented to an open view of Shenzhen’s “Central Park.”
Three major public spaces are spaced throughout the building to provide casual breakout and meeting areas.
The uppermost sky garden is an open air public venue for casual interactions and meetings.
The central public space is designed as a co-working environment with open air double height spaces.
The mesh sunscreen opens at the ground floor to create a generous entrance and public space to the tower and adjacent retail development.
The facade of SHEAR TOWER is comprised of two layers, a diagrid curtain wall and an exterior cable mesh with expanded metal fins that is stretched across the entire surface of the building, inflecting and deforming at the major public spaces. The stretched mesh allows the public spaces to be open air while acting as an external shading device in the subtropical climate.
