CityChamp Dartong Plaza：Collaboration and Community
Accelerating Collaboration
The Citychamp Dartong Plaza stands at the crux between past and future, nature and humanity, and work and leisure.
Set between the pre-existing Fuzhou Strait International Exhibition Centre and the River Min, NDA Group won the international competition to design the Citychamp Dartong Plaza; a paired set of buildings, a river marina and a mangrove preservation park that encapsulates Fuzhou’s remarkable heritage.
(Marina at night © NDA Group)
Set side by side, the two buildings act as a gateway to Fuzhou’s rich shipbuilding culture and ancient Tulou history, as they activate this remoter area of the city. Building 1 serves as the HQ for Dartong Group, whilst Building 2 is a serviced apartment and yacht club.
In this article we deep dive into the office building, (internally called the Modern Tulou during planning) the design of which seeks to attract millennial talent, maximise nature, and facilitate collaboration.
(Building 1 Offices © NDA Group)
Indeed the design of the office building is so innovative that it was nominated for the World Architecture Forum awards, the most prestigious in the industry.
It has been a year since Dartong Group moved into their headquarters, and we ask them how it matches up to their expectations.
Collaboration
“There are numerous spaces inside and out which help facilitate impromptu meetings where the natural environment itself gives inspiration.”
Ancient tulou were enclosed structures for extended families, where an emphasis was placed on community and education, and this central communal space stood at the heart of it.
We bring this ancient wisdom into the modern era by imbuing this spirit into the two buildings, both of which are centred upon open courtyards and dotted with dozens of gathering places, all of which facilitate people to socialise and create.
(Central Gathering Space of Building 1 © NDA Group)
Environment at heart
“Set beside Min River, we’re able to enjoy an incredible natural environment that lowers stress and helps us focus.”
(Building 2 with River Min & Mt Gu © NDA Group)
Fuzhou is one of the world’s fastest growing urban economies, and yet here on the outskirts of the city the City Champ Dartong Plaza sits on a site of pristine natural beauty, on the bank of the River Min and facing the majestic Mount Gu.
To combat Fuzhou’s searing summer heat that can surpass 40℃, we wrap the buildings with two skins; the first being low-e glass to minimise heat absorption but maximise views, and the second skin comprised of louvres that physically block sunlight and reduce the need for high energy usage cooling systems inside.
(Louvre and detailing © NDA Group)
Landmark Architecture
“As a Fuzhou local I’m so proud to work in one of the city’s most iconic buildings, and one that represents my region’s culture and history.”
Just as the ancient tulou are symbolic of this region’s rich cultural past, the Citychamp Dartong Plaza buildings proudly symbolise this city’s future – a community driven city that built upon collaboration and innovation.
(Building 1 © NDA Group)
Our designs shows a deep understanding and appreciation of the past that brought us here, and we channel this energy as Fuzhou carves out a new future.
Vision Realised
With the Citychamp Dartong Plaza we realise a complex that integrates seamlessly into both the pre-existing built space and the natural environment, and is in itself a perfect conclusion to them.
(Building 2 © NDA Group)
With the futuristic exhibition centre to the rear and the majestic natural visage to the front, we design our project to take inspiration from its surroundings and bring the city into its next stage of development, where human and natural environments harmoniously come together as one.