CLOU architects designs pleated mian xin cheng development in beijing

CLOU architects designs pleated mian xin cheng development in beijing
photo by shuhe
all images courtesy of CLOU architects

in beijing, CLOU architects have added to their expanding portfolio of chinese projects with the mixed-use development ‘mian xin cheng’. the project, located adjacent to the city’s fourth ring road, boasts pleated and woven façades that both resolve a variety of practical issues, and reference the textile market that formerly operated on the site.

the project’s pleated and woven façades reference the textile market that formerly operated on the site
photos by shuhe

the scheme is comprised of two office towers and a roadside retail podium, with a protected public plaza to the rear. given that the massing of the blocks was constrained by the sunlight requirements of a residential development to the north of the site, CLOU’s work focused on the design of the façade and the surrounding landscape.

the scheme is comprised of two office towers and a roadside retail podium
photos by shuhe

‘the pleating and weaving effects emerged from the visualization of the facades as pieces of three-dimensional fabric rather than paper-thin curtain walls’, explains jan felix clostermann. the thickened façades perform a number of functions beyond enclosure, both serving as acoustic insulation and sculpting habitable zones at the building’s edge.

floor-to-ceiling glazing offers views across the region
photo by shuhe

simultaneously, the woven glazing establishes new opportunities for ventilation. clostermann continues, ‘the weave allowed us to add small side openings for natural ventilation. in most of beijing’s grade A office developments, windows are very large, heavy, top-hung panels that are difficult to operate and prone to falling. many building operators do not allow windows to be opened for this reason, yet air conditioning is is usually switched off at 6pm and remains off on weekends. this is a problem for those who need to work beyond regular office hours.’

the thickened façades sculpt habitable zones at the building’s edge
photo by shuhe

echoing the structure’s elevations, the landscape design for the plaza also establishes a topography of folds on the horizontal plane. ‘the ground folds up to create seating, and to demarcate different zones in the plaza for different activities,’ says clostermann.

the massing of the blocks was constrained by the sunlight requirements of a nearby residential development
photo by shuhe

at night, the façade takes on an distinctive glow
photos by shuhe

the scheme adds to CLOU’s expanding portfolio of chinese projects
photo by shuhe

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project info:

architecture: CLOU architects
project director: jan felix clostermann
project architect: phi wenhui lu
team: andrew ng, chris taeubert
client: sino oceansino-ocean land holdings limited
total gfa: 87,800 sqm
photography: shuhe