NBBJ to wrap vivo headquarters in shenzhen with spiraling garden terraces

NBBJ has been selected to design the new headquarters of vivo, the chinese technology company. located in shenzhen’s bao’an district, the project takes the form of a 32-storey tower encircled with a series of green terraces intended to prioritize the health and well-being of employees. ‘we know that today’s workers thrive in ‘whole life’ environments that integrate nature, health and work,’ says robert mankin, partner in charge of workplace design at NBBJ. ‘our design for the vivo headquarters is the physical embodiment of that ethos – fluid, sustainable and centered around the well-being of those who use the space.’

all images courtesy of NBBJ

NBBJ designed vivo’s new HQ to integrate within the urban fabric of the neighborhood without blocking views towards the coast. emerging from a public plaza with a retail element, grand stairs from a sunken garden to level five connects the flagship vivo store, retail entrances, eateries, conference levels, and an employee cafeteria. the building coils upward to ‘the atrium’, a multiple-level collection of terraces and gardens at the middle levels; before finishing at the penthouse area offering event spaces, conference rooms, and views of qianhai bay.

the tower spirals upwards to a total height of 150 meters (492 feet), and features a glass exterior with horizontal panels that provide sweeping views towards the ocean. greenery is found on every level, with green hubs — providing places for employees to connect with nature while enjoying breaks and meals — strategically placed throughout the building.

NBBJ explains that it used a stepping approach to landscaping the tower that reflects the ecosystems and multiple biomes of southern china, transitioning from forest floor to mountaintop. the lower terraces of the tower have the sparser, forest edge understory trees. moving up into the middle atrium, the plantings feature more dense and dramatic subtropical mountain forest plants. finally, the upper level terraces shift to a more sparse, rugged alpine forest, reflecting the diverse native ecosystem of shenzhen.

from the street level up, the new building is intended to be as welcoming as possible. an arrival podium starting at the ground level creates an inviting environment for employees, visitors and shoppers. the building is angled to be engaged with the city’s adjacent green belt, further enhancing the pedestrian experience. visitors and employees enter the building at street level, making their way up the staircase and escalators to the main lobby at the third level.

each floor is designed for flexibility and fostering connections that lead to creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. in addition to the extra-large workspaces, each floor has collaboration areas for work and socializing, as well as quieter relaxation spaces. the openness of the floor plan offers flexibility and the option to adapt for changing work modes and future proofing.

from a sustainability standpoint, the design utilizes permeable surfaces and landscaping wherever possible to promote drainage back into the ground. rainwater is captured in underground tanks where it can be re-used. the geometry of the building creates self-shading in the summer and added daylight in the winter. construction of the vivo headquarters began in may 2020 and will be substantially completed by fall 2025.

project info:

name: vivo headquarters
location: shenzhen, china
architect: NBBJ
client: vivo
status: under construction, completion scheduled for 2025