archiplein play with light and massing for haokang complex

archiplein play with light and massing for haokang complex
all images courtesy of archiplein

adopting a sculptural approach to massing, the ‘haokang complex’ by chinese studio archiplein features a row of carved-out, irregular towers. located in kunshan, china, the project includes offices and a hotel – and planned over several phases, the resulting forms were split into three separate entities. wanting to deviate away from the all-glass architecture that typically dominates most office buildings, the heavy forms manage to evoke a sense of movement and lightness through their off-set façades. strongly expressing the structure, the massive, heavy and rough exterior features wide openings, demanding a more physical presence that contradictorily creates a type of dancing motion.

‘they dance, they move, leaving light to play a game of reflections and shadows’ says archiplein.

the heavy forms manage to evoke a sense of movement and lightness through their off-set façades

the functions were split into three separate entities, creating a row of carved-out, irregular towers

the first tower and the entrance 

the project includes space for offices and a hotel

(left)  in between two of the towers
(right) the patterned façade 

shadows and light reflections fall on the structures

concept diagram

project info:

architects: archiplein
location: kunshan, China
year: 2009-2011
size: 18 500 m²
photograph: frédéric henriques

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.