Hangzhou Gateway, China
In February 2017, Hangzhou Gateway, a striking new office tower in Hangzhou, China, was completed.
Designed by JDS Architects, the 16-storey building incorporates two massive voids that are cut diagonally through it. The resulting ‘H-shape’ creates a stepped park on top and an arched pathway for pedestrians beneath, linking both sides of the building with a historical market hall, currently undergoing renovation, a public green space.
With a concave plan, the walkway divides the lower floors of the 23,600 sq. m building into two quarter-circle plans.
The main structural supports are provided by two vertical circulation spaces which brace the lower floor plates. These two cores are spanned by the middle floor plates like a simple beam, which creates a stable platform for the upper floors.
On top, the void in the roof creates a green park with a series of stepped terraces, a feature that the architects say is a reference to the ancient Chinese rice-field landscapes. The opening is oriented so as to provide office workers with maximum sunlight and views. The staggered terraces also retain rainwater, which is used to assist with the building’s cooling.
Content and imagery courtesy of JDS Architects.
Photography is by Julien Lanoo.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.
The pace of heating change; BSRIA market intelligence
Electric Dreams, Boiler Realities.
New President of ECA announced
Ruth Devine MBE becomes the 112th President of the Electrical Contractors Association.