MVRDV’s Hongqiao Airport CBD has been awarded ‘Best Commercial Architecture’ in the AD 100 awards. The project, which was completed in 2015, creates a more urban and intimate work environment in an area overwhelmed by high speed expressways.

The building is composed of four linked masses surrounding a sunken plaza with shops connected to a metro station and pedestrian path. The cubic building volumes are distributed to create a strong visual presence along Shen Hong Road and a more organic one when viewed from the inner plaza. 

The description by AD100 (translated): “The petal roof of the cantilever is connected with the appearance of a small opening in the roof to reduce energy consumption, so that the building reaches an energy-savings level of three stars. The white façade, made of a very light, but highly insulated GRC board, allows the mesh to subtly move and expand to become more open and reduce the demand for air conditioning.”

Read more about the project here.

See the project on the AD 100 awards website here.