Global Headquaters of Tencent; WeChat Social Media
Architecture firm NBBJ designed the global headquaters of Tencent, the company behind Chinese social media platform WeChat. Tencent is ranked the fifth most valuable listed company in the world – worth over $500 billion (£352 billion), making it currently more valuable than Facebook. The complex is made up of two towers, connected by bridges to encourage staff to meet.
Two glass and aluminum towers rise to 50 and 39 stories respectively and are connected by three large bridges, clad in copper-colored aluminum louvers. Building this basement level and supporting the soaring towers above was the challenge faced by the architects. Shenzhen's new technology area is built on land that has had to be reclaimed from the sea. Reducing the energy consumption and carbon emissions of 270,000 square meters of office space was another key goal of NBBJ, and they claim the buildings use 40 percent less than a typical office tower.
The towers were built first, then the bridges were lifted into place by cranes. Landscaped gardens line the outdoor areas of each bridge. The first bridge, which is suspended over the lobby contains the cultural link, with cafes, an auditorium and exhibition spaces. The middle bridge hosts the health link, complete with a running track, gym, a full-size basketball court in the center of the bridge, climbing walls, ping pong tables and a juice bar. The topmost bridge houses a library, education center and conference spaces, as the knowledge link.
References:
www.arcrealestate.ir
