The Vanke Centre
Exterior of Steven Holl’s Horizontal Skyscraper/Vanke Centre, Shenzhen, China.
(Image credit: Shu He)

Having had the privilege to be among the first to try out the Beijing Linked Hybrid building while working on our Made in China issue a few months ago, we can assure you that Steven Holl’s first completed project in the country was only the beginning for the US-practice’s China branch.

Second on schedule, the Vanke Centre in Shenzhen building was completed a few weeks ago, with interior fit-outs to follow later in 2010. Also known as the Horizontal Skyscraper, for its long and lean horizontal volume, Vanke is also the location for the practice’s exhibition Urbanisms: Steven Holl + Li Hu, which opens today.

Focusing on work by Steven Holl, with partner and head architect in China Li Hu, the show presents the practice’s four recent and ongoing projects in the country; Nanjing Museum of Art and Architecture, Beijing Linked Hybrid, Shenzhen’s Vanke Centre and the Chengdu Sliced Porosity Block.

Spanning a period of six years, between 2003 and 2009, the exhibition takes a closer look at the practice’s experiments with shape and materials, infused with some serious eco-credentials, all in light of China’s rapid urbanisation.

The show examines in particular the Vanke mixed-use building, which includes the Vanke real estate headquarters, but also apartments, an auditorium and a hotel. Under ground level the complex also features a spa, a conference centre and parking space.

Fuelling the debate about the Chinese architectural landscape and urbanisation, Holl’s works adds much to the discussion: ecology, urban living in high density environments, as well as technological innovation. The Vanke building is suspended from eight cores, combining cable-stay bridge methods with a concrete frame, and it is the first structure of its kind.

Li Hu’s exhibition Urbanisms


(Image credit: Steven Holl Architects)

The Vanke Centre is also the venue for Holl and the head architect of his Chinese practice, Li Hu’s exhibition Urbanisms: 4 Projects in China by Steven Holl Architects. Image copyright: Shu He.

The Vanke Centre

The Vanke Centre is also known as the Horizontal Skyscraper, due to the length of its protruding arms. 

(Image credit: Shu He)

The Vanke Centre

As with the Linked Hybrid, Holl has experimented with colour on the underneath of the Vanke Centre’s arms. 

(Image credit: Shu He)

Vanke Centre’s painted underneath.

Detail of the Vanke Centre’s painted underneath. 

(Image credit: Steven Holl Architects.)

The atrium of Steven Holl’s Horizontal Skyscraper/Vanke Centre, Shenzhen, China.

The atrium of Steven Holl’s Horizontal Skyscraper/Vanke Centre, Shenzhen, China. 

(Image credit: Shu He)

The Linked Hybrid in Beijing was the site of Wallpaper’s satellite office

The Linked Hybrid in Beijing was the site of Wallpaper’s satellite office whilst we produced our Made In China issue. 

(Image credit: Shu He)

The Linked Hybrid in Beijing

The Linked Hybrid in Beijing, completed earlier this year. 

(Image credit: Shu He)

The Museum of Art and Architecture

The Museum of Art and Architecture, Nanjing.

(Image credit: Steven Holl Architects.)

The Museum of Art and Architecture

Detail of the Museum of Art and Architecture, Nanjing. 

(Image credit: Iwan Baan.)

Steven Holl’s Sliced Porosity Block

Steven Holl’s Sliced Porosity Block, Chengdu. 

(Image credit: Iwan Baan.)

Steven Holl’s Sliced Porosity Block

Steven Holl’s Sliced Porosity Block, Chengdu. Copyright: Iwan Baan.

(Image credit: Iwan Baan.)