Urban Context
China Life Insurance Tower is located in Central business zone of Shenzhen at South Zone of Futian downtown with an over ground construction area of 60,000m2. The building height amounts to 150 meters. The area of the Central Business District is characterized by the orthogonal layout of the city blocks and buildings. There is a high density of buildings and a diverse fabric of green spaces, plazas, shops, cafes and restaurants. The base shape of the tower is a rectilinear cube. In contrast to the conventional building envelopes of Shenzhen (strong, hard, rectliniear edges) the appearance of the tower is softer and more inviting. The curved edges of the tower smoothly dissolve into continuous surfaces and thus create an alive and impressing effect in the skyline of downtown Shenzhen. The site connects to an ample green space (golf course, park) towards the west. The goal was to create a strong link between the nature and the inner space of the building. The horizontal landscape continues in the vertical voids of the building. The green concept is revived in the color theme of the façade.

Design Concept
The design of the tower expresses the synergy of the two defining elements of the company’s philosophy:

a) Stability, continuity, strength, safety, trust, power, tradition, history > represented by traditional concept of tower, solid volume, rectilinear lines, planar surfaces
b) Life, dynamic, growth, people, future, modern society > represented by curved lines, twisting surfaces, DNA (symbol for human life)

The outer appearance of the tower combines/unites the two concepts to create a unique and indicatory identity for the China Life Headquarters in Shenzhen demonstrating the quality of a premium, innovative company.
The interior space of the building is characterized by two grand voids. One marks the entrance hall on the northeast corner of the building. The uprising energetic and representative lobby is a very light, open and welcoming space for both employees and visitors. The other void is in the upper part of the tower. Generous, triple height spaces connect the individual floors and create shared spaces for communication and relaxation creating a sense of community. They offer stunning views to the southwest overlooking the park and the sea.

China Life Shenzhen from StudioB on Vimeo.

Client: China Life Insurance
Location: Shenzhen, China
Program: Office, Conference, Commercial
Area: 71.000 sqm
Status: Competition 2010, 4th prize
Local Partner: : IPPR International Engineering Corporation
Consultants: : Happold Ingenierbüro GmbH, Priedemann Fassadenberatung GmbH, Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH
Design Team: Leander Adrian, Daniel da Rocha, Martin Henn, Markus Jacobi, Xuan Li, Klaus Ransmayr Wei Sun, Max Schwitalla