Zhongrui Headquarter: A New Landmark by L&P Architects

Revolutionizing Office Spaces with Innovative Design and Sustainability

The design of Zhongrui Headquarter was inspired by the contradiction between public and private, office and entertainment. The architects split the functions into two towers with a massive public sunlight atrium, and wrapped the two towers and atrium as a whole with a diamond-shaped curtain wall. The glass atrium, designed to host a variety of public activities, is set to leave a lasting impression on visitors. Offices and related functions such as stores, canteen, conference center, and activity rooms are placed in the two towers, which have access control to ensure privacy. Platforms hanging in the atrium facilitate communication between the two towers.

What sets the Zhongrui Headquarter apart is its location in the central area of Zheng Dong New District, mainly functioning as a financial office. It is strategically located 3.5 km away from the CBD center of Zhengzhou and 1.5 km from the sub center, North Longhu. With the Subway under construction on the east and the Ruyi river providing a splendid view on the west, the project is set in an ideal location. The north and south sides are planning roads between blocks.

The realization of the crystal-like facade and the space inside was a challenge. The architects leaned the columns according to the gradient of the curtain wall to achieve this. Sustainability was a key concern for the sunlight atrium. By adding opening windows in specific places to improve ventilation, the architects successfully reduced temperature when emulating the thermal environment in the digital model.

The project, which started in April 2018, is currently under the Detail Design Stage and is set to open in 2020. The site is located near the waterfront, between the Ruyi river and the residential area. The project aims to be a private office for commercial use, while the solar garden is opened to the public, transforming the nature from outside to inside. The crystal facade is the iconic feature of the building, creating a warm and elegant interior. The sunken plaza opening improves the access from sunlight lobby to car park and basement retails, also corresponding to the waterfront landscape, providing a multifunctional interface between the outdoor activities and the inner functions.

One of the major challenges faced during the design process was the huge volume of the sunlight atrium, which posed a challenge when it came to fire control. According to Chinese fire control law of 2018 version, every room should be under a certain area to prevent fire. Rooms should be separated with certain types of wall or curtain. Therefore, most shared space hung in the atrium are wrapped with fireproof glass to maximize the openness under those limitations.

The Zhongrui Headquarter is a testament to L&P Architects' commitment to innovative design and sustainability. The project is not just an office space, but a landmark that is set to redefine the landscape of Zhengzhou City.