Australian design and architectural firms continue to make headway in China.
iaction completes ECCO China HQ
Australian-owned iaction, a leading interior design and build firm in China, has recently completed the new China headquarters for global footwear company, ECCO. Design elements include a circular reception desk mimicking the logo and representing the client’s full value chain. The desk was produced in leather finish, specially produced by ECCO.
iaction incorporated other elements such as an abstraction of a Danish forest through the clever use of light placement in the reception and kept the office area open and flowing to connect each area.
*Pictured above: iaction’s interior design for ECCO’s China headquarters.
STI wins landscape project in Zhengzhou
Australian design company Silk Tree International and based in Shanghai is completing design development drawings for landscape treatment along the South to North Water Diversion project in Zhengzhou. The 1000 km-long scheme will eventually divert 44.8 billion cubic meters of water per year from southern areas to drought stricken northern and western areas.
The development of the canal has created the opportunity to create linear parklands alongside the canal, to cater for a wide array of recreation opportunities. Silk Tree’s owner and creative director Grant Donald says the initial 5-km long area in Zhengzhou, will include cultural recreation zones as well as active sports opportunities and education areas. The total canal projects completion is expected to occur around 2015.
*Pictured above: STI’s Zhengzhou project forms part of China’s South to North Water Diversion project.
HASSELL wins Shenyang Hutai New Town project
Australian architecture and design firm HASSELL has won an international competition to design one of northeast China’s largest and state-of-the-art ecological urban centres.
Located in the capital of Liaoning province in China’s industrial heartland, the 128 km2 Shenyang Hutai New Town is one of the city’s largest and most cutting-edge ecological and natural urban centres.
Situated on the edge of a lake that spreads over 67 hectares, Phase One of the project encompasses a 100,000m2 architecture design project comprising an administrative and planning hall, a cultural exchange centre, a music hall and a business and convention hotel.
Most recently, HASSELL completed the Palm Island project, an integrated commercial-retail development in Chongqing that combines retail space, residential and commercial towers in a seamless lifestyle experience.
*Pictured above: Artist impression of HASSELL’s Shenyang Hutai New Town.
Architektonic completes Vic Gov Beijing Office
The Victorian Government recently opened its new Beijing office – designed by Architektonic – a design firm with offices in both Melbourne and Shanghai. Architektonic has designed a funky, modern office around limited space.
Selection was based on a number of arcs weaving their way around the walls to give the impression of space while simultaneously creating personalized work areas and ensuring that light penetrated into every part of the tenancy. There is a large tapestry of colours – primarily tones of blue – to reflect the Victorian state colours, formed in laminated panels throughout the office. The fit-out is complimentary to the design adopted by the Victorian Government for its Shanghai office, also designed by Architektonic.
*Pictured above: The Victorian state office in Beijing, designed by Melbourne-Shanghai firm Architektonic.
HBA wins China appointments
HBA’s Melbourne office has been appointed to design the interiors of two significant commercial developments in China. The first is a development in Nanjing for a private securities company, which will consist of six new buildings including four office towers and a 5-star hotel. Two of the office towers will be designed to LEEDS rating GOLD. HBA is also currently designing the interiors of the corporate headquarters for a property development group in Beijing. This project includes two office towers, also to be designed to LEEDS rating GOLD. ■
**To read more about opportunities for Australian companies in the green build sector in China,
click here.
January / February 2013
Design & Build & Construction in China
Australian architects are at the forefront of designing Chinese master plans for new cities and suburbs, commercial and residential developments, sporting facilities and more.
In the January / February 2013 issue of Australia China Connections, we profile the work of some of Australia’s best architectural and design firms working in China, the influence their work is having in the wider Asia Pacific region and the big shift for Australian firms as they find the bulk of their business now coming out of Asia and beyond.
In this special feature we also look at the pre-fabricated housing market – made in China, built in Australia.