Sprialing Phoenix International Media Center Rises in Beijing

Phoenix Television, one of the biggest <a href="http://inhabitat.com/greenpix-zero-energy-media-wall-lights-up-beijing/">media </a>companies in China, is about the set itself apart from the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-decathlon-passive-solar-house-competition/">competition</a> with an incredible new building that defies the eye and pushes the boundaries of architectural design. The brainchild of innovative Chinese firm, <a href="http://www.biad-ufo.cn/" target="_blank">BIAD UFo</a>, the Phoenix International Media Center resembles a giant steel and glass<a href="http://inhabitat.com/shell-inspired-fairground-building-at-rossi-sud-complex-harnesses-energy-from-the-earth/"> shell </a>nestled in the green surroundings of Beijing's Chaoyang Park.

The Phoenix Center is located in the city's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/som-wins-competition-to-create-beijings-sustainable-city-center/">largest park</a>, which was once home to the 2008 Summer Olympic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/la/long-beach-kicks-bicyclists-to-the-curb/" target="_blank">beach</a> volleyball games. Surrounded by lush greens and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/netherlands-to-roll-out-energy-generating-solaroad-bike-path/" target="_blank">public pathways</a>, the building's open structure is inviting and it welcomes the park's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tianjin-eco-city-is-a-futuristic-green-landscape-for-350000-residents/" target="_blank">landscaping</a> into its many public courtyards.

Covering over 200,000 square feet, the interior of the shell includes two independent<a href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-student-built-prefab-office-wins-aia-citation/" target="_blank"> office towers</a>. One will house media and production offices as well as a number of broadcasting <a href="http://inhabitat.com/vase-made-by-bees-by-studio-libertiny/" target="_blank">studios</a>, while the other will be more geared towards the public with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cube-pavilion-mod-green-restaurant-to-pop-up-on-top-of-european-cliffs-and-famous-monuments/" target="_blank">restaurants</a> and shops.

The interior also provides a great deal of open space for the public to interact with different <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tips-on-using-social-media-proactively-to-build-your-green-brand/" target="_blank">media outlets</a>. The towers are also connected and surrounded by a series of platforms and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/denmarks-new-bella-sky-hotel-boasts-a-stunning-green-interior/" target="_blank">sky ramps</a> covered with finely manicured landscape designs.

The elevation difference between the building's two ends allows not only for optimum <a href="http://inhabitat.com/sundolier-robot-pumps-sunlight-indoors-for-powerful-daylighting/" target="_blank">sunlight exposure</a> throughout the offices, but also serves as a special consideration for the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-unveils-radically-sloped-west-57-residential-tower-in-nyc-today/" target="_blank">residential</a> buildings next door who would otherwise have an obstructed view of the park.

The stout stature also helps mitigate the effects of severe <a href="http://inhabitat.com/wind-powered-winner-of-the-piraeus-tower-redesign-competition/" target="_blank">winds</a>, which present challenges for other high-rise buildings.

The exterior plan includes a double layer of swirling steel. The slanting materials create a cone <a href="http://inhabitat.com/environmentally-friendly-fireplaces/" target="_blank">chimney</a> effect, circulating natural air throughout the building and saving a great deal of energy. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rainperfect-rainwater-recycling-system-with-a-solar-powered-pump/" target="_blank">Rainwater</a> will also be collected along the ribs of the structure and will travel down to<a href="http://inhabitat.com/from-oil-tanks-to-lace-artist-cal-lane/" target="_blank"> tanks</a> at the bottom of the building to be filtered and used throughout the courtyard <a href="http://inhabitat.com/domestic-ponds-are-tabletop-ecosystems-for-your-home/" target="_blank">ponds</a> and landscape designs.