Australian companies in the build and design sector announce their China projects.
CK Designworks Beijing project
Melbourne-based international architecture and planning company CK Designworks has been commissioned to design a large hotel and retail complex in Beijing for Nanjing-based developer Jiangsu. (Artist’s impression pictured above)
Design partner, Ivo Krivanek says the development draws its inspiration from the existing flower exhibition building already on the site and comprised 240 room hotel reminiscent of Alvar Aalto’s famous Savoy vase, a retail strip housing luxury boutique shops and major homewares retailers, a department store, furniture sales, food court and parking for 4,500 cars.
The project has a gross floor area of 180,000 m2 and is expected to be completed in 2015. Mr. Krivanek said that this commission adds to a string of large projects CK Designworks has been awarded in Nanjing, Chengdu and Chuzhou.
ASPECT completes China projects
ASPECT Studios has celebrated the completion of landscape works for the new Four Seasons Hotel in Guangzhou and stage 1 of the Puli tower, the tallest tower in Jinan at over 350 metres (pictured left).
Both landscape are high quality contemporary pieces responding to the local context. Recent new appointments include the 180,000 m2 of the new Hongqiao Hub for Longfor, including corporate headquarters, a five star hotel and shopping malls. The landscape scope includes commercial public precincts, green roofs and landscaped balconies extended to six levels.
Studio505 Lotus making progress
Studio505’s centre piece to Changzhou – the 6000m2 addition to the refurbished Wujin Planning and exhibition Hall is nearing completion.
Emerging from the scaffold is the sculptural and extraordinary form and colour of the ‘Lotus’ which eventually will sit atop a 10,000 m2 artificial lake, in a Park also landscaped by studio505. The project is being continuously monitored by studio505’s local office and chief representative Dik Jarman, and weekly site meetings are held to keep the level of quality to the absolute highest, and ensure the construction conforms to the design standards demanded of such a public building. The lotus exteriors are slated for completion in September 2012, with the interior completed in early 2013 in time for the 8th China National Flower Expo.
Across the road, the Phoenix Valley cultural centre, comprising a grand theatre for 1000, four cinemas, a youth palace for 4000 students and a gallery sited in a new public landscape is also progressing, with the base building complete, and interiors underway in the major sections. At 75000 m2 this project has one of the largest green roofs in Jiangsu, and a massive BIPV (built in Photovoltaic) skylight installed over the internal atrium of the youth palace. The project is aiming for China 3 star rating- the highest equivalent to LEED in china.
WB appoints new leader for Lujiazui masterplan
Rodger Dalling has been appointed a Director with Australian architectural firm Woods Bagot’s Shanghai office after transferring from the firm’s Melbourne office. In conjunction with leading the local Shanghai studio, Mr Dalling will play a key role in the delivery of a major project win – the Lujiazui Masterplan, a proposed development situated in the prestigious Pudong area. Mr Dalling recently celebrated 20 years with Woods Bagot.
Consisting of seven luxury residential apartment towers, the proposed development boasts high-end amenities such as exclusive club facilities with spa, sauna, and steam rooms, an indoor pool, set alongside a lush garden environment featuring a 1000 meter jogging track.
The interior of the project befits its luxurious exterior with the apartments ranging from a five bedroom penthouse and sub penthouse suites to a typical three bedroom apartment featuring a Butler’s kitchen, wine cellar, world’s best media systems, elite fittings and finishes.
“Rapid economic development across Shanghai and the greater China region have resulted in the development of an exploding real estate market – met by consumer demand,” says Mr Dalling.
“The expansion in the Asia Pacific region is a major growth area for Woods Bagot and the recent project win is a testament to this, as well as an indication that further growth is to come.” ■
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