Hangzhou Tonglu Archives Building, Zhejiang, Chinese Architecture Images
Archives Building in Tonglu, Hangzhou
26 Jan 2021
Tonglu Archives Building
Design: BAU (Brearley Architects + Urbanists)
Location: Tonglu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

?it is the least we could do: minimalism in an environment of expressionism?

Steve Whitford (Partner)
hybrid typology

In China, the perimeter block typology doesn?t usually return the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) necessary to satisfy inner urban densities. This leads to an over reliance on detached towers to meet FAR requirements. The perimeter block with a tower extrusion however, presents a useful hybrid.

The advantages of the perimeter block (positive reinforcement of active urban street edges; well ventilated and naturally lit building interiors; and an internal courtyard that has the options of being private, semi-private-semi-public, or public space) are combined with the capacity of the tower to maximize floor area.
being a good neighbor

Urban form for this project was driven by the need to maintain strict solar access requirements to the neighbouring buildings. The low perimeter block did not impact solar access, however, the tower extrusion proved much more difficult to locate. Its final position exposes long east and west facades to low altitude summer sun.

metal petals

Surprisingly, all facades required vertical screens to prevent unwanted heat gain. Elegantly thin slab edges are projected past the window line and form...