Beijing – China Chaoyang Park Plaza
The Chaoyang Park Plaza by MAD Architects in Beijing is characterized by smooth and curved surfaces consisting of white and black elements. It evokes the excitement and the appearance of the traditional Chinese ink painting and it offers a peaceful shelter, protected from the surrounding city chaotic background. This project adds two towers as offices on the northern side of the area which lie on the shore of a small lake with an annexed park; they remind two mountains reflected on the water. The low commercial buildings, on a smaller scale, remind the mountain rocks which are eroded with time. They seem to be positioned randomly, but the mutual relationship is strategical and creates a protected but open urban garden where people can meet and enjoy a little bit of nature in the city. The landscape, which is created among the buildings, includes pines, bamboo trees, rocks and ponds: they are all elements of the eastern landscape which link contemporary architecture and traditions. The project was certified with the LEED Gold Certification of the Green Building Council USA: the vertical small wings placed on the façade made of glass work as a ventilation system and as a filter to improve the energy efficiency helping the cooling of interiors. At the base of the towers the small lake works as a cooling system in Summer time decreasing inside temperatures.
