Hetao Alpha

British studio RSHP has completed a 45-storey office skyscraper in Shenzhen, China, featuring two angled wings connected by a central core.

Called Hetao Alpha, the 212-metre-tall office building comprises a 37-storey east wing and a 44-storey west wing connected by a central core. The building sits on top of a mixed-use podium.

“The naturally ventilated office tower features a striking butterfly layout with fully glazed east and west wings,” the studio said.

Cantilevered bays extended from the central concrete core on the east and west sides to form the tower’s angled wings, which have 70,410 square metres of office space.

On every 12 levels, mega trusses located on refuge and service floors provide additional structural support.

The Hetao Alpha skyscraper has a fully glazed facade that, together with open floor plates, ensures unobstructed views of the cityscape for the office workers.

Curved double-height glazing at each of the wings’ four corners captures curated viewpoints of the Shenzhen Bay Wetlands to the west and the Hong Kong Mai Po Wetlands to the south.

Lifts are located on the north and south facades in the central volume. These were also fully glazed to offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

“Centred around a concrete core with suspended corner bays, the tower minimises its perimeter structure, creating slender edges and expansive double-height views, forming the distinct structural system that defines the tower’s identity,” said Marco Tessaro, associate at RSHP.

Louvred panels on the facade and vents were incorporated into the glazing to create natural ventilation throughout the building while reducing energy consumption.

The studio added extensive vegetation, a feature wall and water elements to improve biodiversity and help create a calm environment for socialising.

“The building’s natural ventilation, green rooftop spaces, and energy-efficient facade define a truly sustainable development that reduces consumption while enhancing wellbeing for both occupants and the wider community,” said Wenchao Zhou, associate at RSHP.