British architecture firm Foster + Partners has completed a new office tower in the newly regenerated Suhewan area of Shanghai. The project represents the first built project of Foster + Partners in Suhewan, China. 

Named The Suhe Centre, the 200-metre tower, reaching at 42 storeys, forms the centrepiece of the Suhewan East Urban Complex, which introduces a rich mix of functions to the predominantly residential area. 

Described as "a signature tower", the new tower is part of the city’s vision to draw development towards the eastern quarter.

The Suhe Centre has also obtained LEED Platinum certification and has a Green Building 2 Star rating, stated by Foster + Partners. 

The tower has a comprehensive sustainability strategy - starting from recycling rainwater for irrigation, intelligent systems for optimising the indoor environment to air quality monitoring, bicycle parking and charging spaces.

"The Suhe Centre plays a central role in activating Suhewan and creating a vibrant new piece of the city. The tower has been designed to enhance wellbeing, with plenty of natural light and open, column free workspaces," said Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners. 

"It offers great views of the Jing An district, the Historical Bund, Pudong Lujiazui and the Huangpu and Suhe rivers. Its flexible floorplates allow for a range of different layouts to support contemporary ways of working," the office added.

Situated alongside a new urban public green area and Shanghai Suhe Centre MixC, the tower provides excellent connections to Line 10 Tiantong Road metro station, as well as acting as a catalyst for bringing people and new businesses to the area. 

Foster + Partners created an expressive skin for the tower referencing to the industrial aesthetic of the historical Zhejiang Road Bridge and nearby warehouse buildings. 

"The tower’s dark glazing reduces reflective glare and contrasts with the stainless-steel structural frame, which has been pulled away from the corners to maximise views out," the studio added.

The tower features undulating wall panels inside the Tower lobby, and it visually elongates the 11-metre-tall lobby space so that it can create "a grand sense of arrival for the building’s occupants and visitors." 

Thanks to louvres above the entrance canopy, they filter light and produce dancing shadows across the walls and floor. 

A unique reception desk is imprinted with a historic map of Suhe River, to commemorate the history of the site.

While the lower levels of the tower are opened up to views of the park to the west, the building rises above the surrounding low-rise residential fabric and it provides stunning 360-degree panoramic views. 

"Every corner of the tower is a full-height glass space that frames a unique view of the city," said the office.

Interiors include column-free, flexible office floorplates which are designed to suit a variety of layouts, from single to multiple tenancies. 

Every level has detachable floor slabs to allow for connections between them. 

Along the western façade, the middle section of the building is recessed to allow natural light to flood the office spaces with a row of scenic lifts located within this recess to maximise views of the park and river.

"It has been a great privilege to design the first office tower in Suhewan. We have worked closely with China Resources Land to create a landmark building that offers truly modern workspaces which prioritise city and park views, comfort and flexibility," said Emily Phang, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners. 

"The Suhe Centre is an exciting new addition to the city and an integral part of their vision to bring new business to the eastern quarter," added Phang.

Site plan

Level-1 plan

Level 2-7 plan

Level 10 plan

Level 34-39 plan

East side section

South side section

East side elevation

North side elevation

Foster + Partners recently completed an office complex addressing flexible working environments in Luxembourg and a new sustainable headquarters for Hungarian multinational oil and gas company in Budapest.

Project facts

Project name: The Suhe Centre

Architects: Foster + Partners

Location: Suhewan, Shanghai, China

Area: 10,067m2

Collaborating Architect: ECADI

Quantity Surveyor: CR Client

Lighting Engineer: Arup

Structural Engineer: Arup

Landscape Architect: MELK

Additional Consultants: Shanghai Construction No.1 Group Meinhardt

All images © ZHURUNZI.

All drawings © Foster + Partners

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Foster + Partners office Shanghai tower