Double-Crane Lake: A Masterpiece of Cultural and Architectural Fusion

Aedas' Award-Winning Design Marries Tradition with Innovation

The design of the Double-Crane Lake project takes its inspiration from Zhengzhou's historical significance as the birthplace of Chinese civilization and its renown for astronomical observation. The twin office towers, standing at 191 meters high, are laid on the east-west axis to capture the equinox at sunrises and sunsets. The silhouette of these towers is influenced by the antique Lotus and Crane Pots, artifacts from the Spring and Autumn Period before the first emperor united China. This cultural influence lends an air of elegance and simplicity to the design.

Located in the International Garden Expo of Zhengzhou Airport District, the project master layout plan has been meticulously designed to maximize the lake view for the tower orientation by rotating the footprint 30 degrees. This strategic positioning not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also avoids tower overlooking, making it a local landmark and the most important development in the area.

The project employs the Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) system, a renewable and cost-effective energy source, leveraging the proximity to Double-Crane Lake. This system minimizes pollution and reduces energy consumption, further supported by the use of regionally manufactured construction materials to reduce the environmental impact of long-distance transportation.

The Double-Crane Lake project comprises two 191-metre towers and two 80-metre towers, with a total gross floor area of 406,000 square meters. The design was realized under deep research of Zhengzhou's history and culture, with the project starting in 2016 and expected to be completed in 2020. It is currently under construction.

One of the major challenges faced during the design process was dealing with a metro line under the project site. The basement was separated into two parts at the B3 level and connected together at B2 and above. The B3 level was fully utilized as a civil defense area, and the car park areas are in B2 and B1, creating a whole platform and convenient access to the ground level.

The Double-Crane Lake project by Aedas was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2019, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. This award is a testament to the project's extraordinary excellence and its significant impact on the world with its desirable characteristics.