In the international competition for the Huaxia Bank Headquarters in the Beijing MC district, von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects (gmp) emerged as winners. The office complex is sustainably designed in compliance with the LEED Platinum Standard, China Green Building Label (CGBL) 3 Stars, and WELL Platinum. Following the completion of the Asia Financial Center & AIIB Headquarters in 2019, the new head office of the Huaxia Bank represents another prestigious bank headquarters in Beijing based on a design by gmp.
Huaxia Bank, Peking Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis Entwurf: Meinhard von Gerkan und Stephan Schütz mit Stephan Rewolle Projektmanagement: LI Ling Projektleitung: SUI Jinying
The meandering structure with two high points contains three atriums and aligns itself with a central transverse axis. This axis connects the area to the urban space in the west and to the headquarters’ rambling, C-shaped park that borders the building on three sides. The three-story, symmetrical base interlinks all functions and enables their flexible and equitable arrangement. The volume stacked on top of the base on the east side creates an entrance portal for the ensemble and interconnects the areas to the north and south.
Huaxia Bank, Peking Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis Entwurf: Meinhard von Gerkan und Stephan Schütz mit Stephan Rewolle Projektmanagement: LI Ling Projektleitung: SUI Jinying
Placed in a staggered, L-shaped arrangement, the 100-meter main tower to the north and the 50-meter tower to the west form a distinctive skyline, opening up the urban area towards the park in the southeast and towards the banks of the North Canal. The volumes are characterized by photovoltaic facades and roof surfaces. The regular facades of the meander are designed as climate-active, double-skin facades with integrated photovoltaic elements and ventilation inlets that can be opened manually. They are also provided with a projecting, vertical structure made of natural stone. The roof surfaces accommodate planted terraces suitable for a variety of activities. The three inner courtyards, two of which are glazed, supplement the shared meeting places for bank employees.
Huaxia Bank, Peking Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis Entwurf: Meinhard von Gerkan und Stephan Schütz mit Stephan Rewolle Projektmanagement: LI Ling Projektleitung: SUI Jinying
Huaxia Bank, Peking
Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis
Entwurf: Meinhard von Gerkan und Stephan Schütz mit Stephan Rewolle
Projektmanagement: LI Ling
Projektleitung: SUI Jinying
Huaxia Bank, Peking
Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis
Huaxia Bank, Peking
Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis
Huaxia Bank, Peking
Studie, Gutachten – 1. Preis
Entwurf: Meinhard von Gerkan und Stephan Schütz mit Stephan Rewolle
Projektmanagement: LI Ling
Projektleitung: SUI Jinying
What is the essence of portrait photography?
This has been a constant pondering for Dingji Photography over the past eleven years. With a focus on excellence and a pursuit of the highest standards, Dingji has established seven distinct professional portrait photography institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou. Now, Dingji presents a new concept for its eighth establishment: a non-profit, dedicated space solely for exploring the art of portraiture.
“After hearing this concept from the founder of Dingji, as someone who has visited numerous art spaces, I was immediately moved. In a time filled with competition and uncertainty due to the pandemic (during the planning phase), Dingji persists in stubbornly ‘discussing art’—a practice that seems detached from commercial interests yet truly elevates the production of portrait photography to its utmost perfection. This is commendable,” expressed Luo Zhenhua from WIT Design.
However, the average customer expenditure is five to ten times higher than that of Dingji’s regular stores, and yet it continues to be widely loved.
01 Space
“The Portrait Steward in the Era of Cloud Computing”
However, is art really so distant from us?
It is well known that many of our country’s products have hardware that is on par with top Western brands, yet there is still a gap in terms of pricing. Perhaps what is lacking is a thorough understanding of art and design.
Speaking of portrait photography, during the years of my interaction with Dingji, I have never for a moment considered it to be just an ordinary photo studio. Dingji’s artistry is far from being exclusive to a select few. It has consistently and silently provided a photography service that withstands scrutiny, constantly pushing the boundaries of portrait art to its utmost perfection.
Within the exhibition hall’s corridors, a scene of mechanical aesthetics unfolds. It seems as if, in the fraction of a second captured by the mechanical shutter sound, guests are frozen and captured, while being processed and uploaded in real-time. Dingji’s artistic output is not akin to the portrait oil paintings of the 16th-century Renaissance, nor the slow development of images by cameras in the 19th century. Instead, it exists within a futuristic realm of silver and metallic textures, where capturing, storing, and online management are unrestricted by technology—never fading, never lost.
This eighth establishment, the Huanya Art Space, offers customers a glimpse into the future—a scenario where, in the era of cloud data, they not only serve as photographers for the guests but also act as their portrait stewards.
As the artistic portrait stewards, Dingji also provides large-scale interactive installations within the exhibition hall, showcasing the power of their advanced backend technologies.
If there were a “Heavenly Photo Studio,” it would most likely be curved in design.
The exhibition hall is curved in design—Architect Antoni Gaudí once said, “Straight lines belong to man, while curved lines belong to God.”
The exhibition hall will host regular photography exhibitions, with the aim of fostering the self-evolution of Dingji through the showcased works. Additionally, the art corridor is divided into sections by the shape of mechanical shutters, with each section documenting a story and scene captured by Dingji’s photography.
02 Value
Brand’s Autonomous Transformation
Portrait Consultant + Art Exploration + Homage to Future Imaging
Returning to the commercial space itself, after the pandemic, the project has gained a significant number of customers, achieving an average customer expenditure that is 5-10 times higher than that of its regular stores. This transformation has brought about a qualitative change in both the business and brand dimensions.
This is a contemporary imaging space that observes and explores the future, reaching people through intuitive design and receiving positive responses. Portrait photography is a combination of a portrait consultant, art exploration, and homage to future imaging within a service-oriented system.
03 Nature
“There was a touching story about a Dingji staff member that really moved me: A customer wanted to have their portrait taken during sunrise. When the customer arrived at the outdoor shooting location promptly at 6 a.m., the enthusiastic Dingji business team offered them tea, and the makeup team had already prepared all the necessary facilities outdoors. The photography team’s instructor, equipment, devices, and lighting were all perfectly set up in advance. The customer’s experience was further enhanced as they melted into the moment, accompanied by the warm rays of the rising sun.”
Returning to the commercial space itself, the project has consistently attracted a significant number of customers after the pandemic.
At that moment, it wasn’t just a groggy independent photographer welcoming the guests, but rather an entire professional business team working together systematically to pursue artistic outcomes. In the end, a series of personalized, custom-made artistic portraits with a sense of contemporary tension are produced.
Luxurious Waterfront Living at Marina Gate Towers by Aedas
Project: The Residences at Marina Gate Location: Dubai, U.A.E. Client: Select Group Design Architect: Aedas Gross Floor Area: 210,000 sq m Completion Year: 2020
Designed in 2015, The Residences at Marina Gate project is a prestigious residential development that comprises three high-rise towers, two residential and one hotel serviced apartments managed by Jumeirah Group International, all offering stunning views of the Marina and the Arabian Gulf.
It is located at the world’s largest artificial marina – Dubai Marina, which is a vibrant tourist hub and a dynamic neighbourhood with many unique residential towers. The Marina is a bustling waterfront community with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment options.
Facing the Arabian Gulf and the Marina, The Residences at Marina Gate enjoys one of the best views within Dubai Marina. The project offers a variety of living options to its residents, including studios, 1-5 bedroom apartments, serviced apartments, penthouses and over 30 villas. The three towers range from 52 to 64 storeys that stand above a cluster of an 8-level podium with retail at lower levels.
The inspiration for the design comes from the sleek and modern aesthetic of Dubai, as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The architects aimed to create a sense of openness and connection with the environment, while also ensuring a high level of privacy and exclusivity for the residents.
Render Reality Blending into the urban context The silhouette blends in with the urban context, while the materials and lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere that complements the surrounding landscape. The complex was designed to meet international
standards, using advanced glass, steel, and concrete forms, to give a modern and sophisticated look that reflects the beauty of Dubai while incorporating the natural environment. Villas are stacked in a staggered manner to reinforce its linkage with the main tower, formulating one composition. While the height of the podium was utilised to achieve the required parking count.
Standing tall in the heart of a tourist destination Podium Section Plan The 3 towers are connected through passages within an 8-level terraced podium. This podium was designed to serve as a convenient walkway while incorporating commercial elements for residents. With 50 retail outlets, a supermarket, salons, a gym, and sports facilities, the podium promotes healthy living and creates social spaces. Its design optimises waterfront usage by placing retail and villa units at an ideal angle, maximising views and accessibility.
The Residences at Marina Gate, designed in 2015, is a prestigious residential development in Dubai Marina. With three high-rise towers offering stunning views, the project seamlessly blends sleek design with the natural landscape. The interconnected terraced podium enhances convenience and waterfront usage. Each tower boasts luxurious amenities, making it a symbol of luxury living in the vibrant Marina community.
About Aedas
Aedas is the world’s only local and global architecture and design practice driven by global sharing of research, local knowledge and international practice. Our 1,100 creative minds with design studios across the globe create world-class design solutions with deep social and cultural understanding of the communities we design for. We create world-class design solutions that are tailored to the needs of cities and communities around the world. www.aedas.com
As one of the focal developing districts located in western Beijing that comprised of three zones, Shougang is a cradle for high-end industries which leads to the green transformation of traditional industries. Aedas Global Design Principal Dr. Andy Wen and Executive Director Zi Huan Lin led the team to create a mixed-use commercial complex on the southeast part of economic zone.
Located at Mariner’s Mile in Newport Beach, 3101 West Coast Highway is a renovation and adaptive reuse of a 4-story Cape Cod-style building from the 1980s into a modern articulation of the marine coastal aesthetic.
Situated on a concrete podium 6’ above West Coast Highway, this project creates a modern aesthetic by removing existing embellishments to enhance the clean and timeless geometry of the gabled roofs, all while staying within compliance with the Coastal Commission’s strict reframing constraints. The existing dormers were demolished to create inset terraces providing tenants with fresh air, natural light, and unobstructed bayside views. Removing floor slabs enable double-height spaces while opening-up bayside gable walls with floor-to-ceiling curtain walls create transparency from the street to the bayside. Tenant spaces were also demised in a north/south direction to provide all tenants with bayside views throughout the building.
The construction of the Corvin Promenade is Central Europe’s largest downtown urban renewal investment, an internationally recognized and award-winning development project. The real estate developmental concept slices out a specific area of the dilapidated building of the district and replaces it with a completely renewed city fabric, which houses commercial, residential, and office buildings. The Corvin Technology Park (C5) is located at the end of this stripe, thus it has a prominent role in closing the central promenade running through the area. Complementing the opposite building, the office building was placed perpendicular to the axis, creating more space between the buildings, while being a definite endpoint of the promenade.
DipoMuria commercial center in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, hosts a photo studio, restaurant, café, and retail shop and is modelled after an urban village typology. On one hand this makes the design fit better into the low rise and small-scale residential neighborhood and on the other hand also gives the possibility to play with the volumes and provide more experienceable sequences of in-between spaces to explore and hang out. The volumes are grouped around a central courtyard, the heart of the ensemble which is connected to the outside but also to terraces on the second floor. The courtyard features a slide for kids to play but is also usable as backdrop for action and group photo shootings. The village-like massing is split horizontally through change in materiality and color having a more grounded plinth level containing all the outer stairs, materialized by rough plaster and a smoother and reflecting upper level in form of polycarbonate façade cladding.
The Playhouse is a full renovation project of a three storey building located in the busy fashion district of Aoyama in Tokyo, Japan. The ground and first floor accommodate a number of British fashion brands, and the second floor houses a hall designated to a weddings and events planning company. Our team was challenged with envisioning a new spatial model of the post-COVID store by reconsidering the existing functions of brick and mortar retail.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalization in our societies to a remarkable degree. What was already an ongoing movement is rapidly indicating a future in which the shopping experience will be increasingly moved to the virtual world. If the act of purchasing is preferred online, we questioned what the physical shop could offer once it is liberated from excessive display and storage space.
The residential project “Spring City Heights” is located in Qingxu, a county of Shanxi Province with the population of 360,000. With the urbanization ratio of 37.15%, Qingxu is undergoing rapid development due to supportive policies from the local government. In May 2020, Qingxu was listed in the New Type Urbanization Models with its competitive location in Shanxi Transition and Comprehensive Reform Demonstration Zone.
This mixed-use development, comprises of a ground floor commercial unit, seven residential flats, and a standalone studio house. The building is built within the curtilage of the Neckinger Mills site, a Grade II Listed 19th Century former tannery mill. The Jubilee Underground railway line was constructed 26 metres directly under the site creating a significant design parameter for the new development along with the existing mainline railway viaduct and simultaneous redevelopment of the adjacent Drill Hall site.