TP-Link Hangzhou: A New Paradigm in Office Design

Zhe Wang's Award-Winning Architecture Fosters Collaboration and Innovation

The TP-Link Hangzhou R&D Center, designed by Zhe Wang, is a remarkable example of how architecture can be used to create a conducive environment for innovation. Inspired by the local urban landscape culture of Hangzhou, the design aims to create a three-dimensional office garden. The exterior of the north and south buildings is solid and concise, while the atrium is transparent and flexible. This design approach transforms the architectural space from a static container into an engine that promotes equal, free, and open communication.

What sets this design apart is its focus on fostering collaboration. As a fast-growing Chinese manufacturer of computer networking products, TP-LINK needed a space that would reflect its corporate ethos and encourage teamwork. The result is a 26700sqm, 12-story creative office building that offers a mixture of open office area, research and development space, and amenity programs. The design intentionally forgoes the typical high-rise structure, instead opting for two slabs of different heights that form a welcoming urban interface.

To achieve the desired transparency of the atrium and provide a high-quality indoor environment, the design team carefully selected the atrium curtain wall structure and glass type. The atrium curtain wall is composed of a suspended-cable structure and ultra-white laminated glass, while the glass on the north and south slab building facades is insulated with a higher reflectivity Low-E ratio. The facade system is designed with vertical aluminum panels with operable windows in-between, further enhancing the building's aesthetic appeal.

The TP-Link Hangzhou R&D Center is not just a testament to innovative architectural design, but also a reflection of the company's commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. The design team succeeded in creating a unique common area that embodies transparency, openness, interactivity, and adaptability. The atrium is not just a physical connection or visual linkage, but a link that promotes team cooperation and open communication.

The design of the TP-Link Hangzhou R&D Center faced several challenges, including the need to integrate architectural concepts with the corporate brand and to think outside the box regarding future high-tech R&D center space planning and building imagery. Despite these challenges, the design team succeeded in creating a user-centered R&D Center that is flexible, efficient, and inspiring for its users.

The TP-Link Hangzhou R&D Center's innovative design has been recognized with a Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and the TP-Link Hangzhou R&D Center certainly fits the bill. With its unique design and commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, it is a shining example of the future of office design.