Coal Chemistry R&D Complex

Taiyuan, China

Architects: Zephyr Architects

Year: 2007

The Coal Chemistry R&D Complex is a hi-tech regional innovation and entrepreneurship park complex. It consists of a 30,000 sqm office building, a 300-bed four star hotel, an exhibition hall and a trading center. Inspired by the coal industry and its local landscape, the design creates a new landmark for Shanxi in the new century. The overall scheme seeks a metaphorical expression of the coal mining landscape, from its natural geological layered origins to the manmade opening and sculpting of the earth and its minerals. The hotel and offices are housed in two separate buildings, and are strategically positioned to achieve two objectives– the creation of a new central plaza, and to allow an appropriate amount of sunlight to reach the north-facing plaza. The vibrant civic space is completed by a new sunken plaza integrated in the section by a series of ramps and stairs connected to the central and north-facing plazas.

Status: Competition finalists

Building Area: 76,000 sq.m. Above Ground

Partner-in-Charge: Zhao Zhonggui

Project Team: Zhao Zhonggui, Xu Lei, Chang Kaisheng

Design Period: 2006-2007