Shenzen Interchange: New Landmark Tower Has Green Pockets Chiseled Right Into Its Sides

The Shenzen Interchange, by <a href="http://work.ac/interchange/" target="_blank">WORKac</a>, is a design for a new stacked urban experience that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/shimmering-villas-in-the-sky-for-riyadh-utilize-unique-glazing/">combines several uses into one tower</a> with direct access to the metro lines below. Located at the crossroads of major intersecting boulevards, metro and bus lines, the podium topped with an office and hotel tower is an expression of sustainability and diversity. Pockets are chiseled right out of the sides of the building to make way for green public spaces and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/solar-power/">solar energy</a> and rainwater are both harvested from the rooftops.

The location of the tower at major crossroads is a very significant aspect of the design and largely influenced the building's volume.

The location of the tower at major crossroads is a very significant aspect of the design and largely influenced the building's volume. A low shopping podium is diagonally cut in the same path as the underground metro line, which is easily accessed directly through the main elevators of the tower.

Other diagonal lines, derived from the trajectory of the metro, cut into the building to create green spaces higher up.

The roof of the podium is also covered in vegetation and a public park.

The building's volume was designed based on the multiple uses as well as the the various transportation lines at the site.

The horizontal city is stacked vertically and influenced by the flow of transit and people into the building.

Solar panels are installed on the roof of the tower as well as the podium to provide additional electricity for the energy efficient building.

Because the building houses both office space and a hotel, the maximum load cycle is spread out over a 24 hour period and space is utilized more efficiently.

Rainwater is harvested from the rooftops and circulated throughout the building and greywater is recycled for use on the cut-out green zones in the tower.

The floors directly below each cut take advantage of the requirements for large structural trusses and refuge floors to create space for natural water filtration systems.