The Gensler-designed Suzhou office campus for a global technology company has received an Honor Award for Interior Architecture at the 2024 AIA International Design Awards. At the ceremony held in Hong Kong on October 26th, Regional Managing Principal for Gensler Greater China, Xiaomei Lee received the award on behalf of the design team at Gensler.
“We are so incredibly honored to receive this award. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our client who entrusted and collaborated with us over the years to achieve this winning design. At Gensler, we are leading the way in designing a world that is sustainable, healthy, equitable, and above all, focused on peoples’ experience. We are proud to say that the project embodies all these qualities.”
– Regional Managing Principal for Gensler Greater China, Xiaomei Lee
Serving as the Suzhou headquarters of a global leading technology company, the second phase office campus is designed with the goal to empower individuals and work teams in the organization and to cultivate strong company values. Blending aesthetics and culture of Suzhou, the design envisions an environment that embraces heritage while nourishing creativity.
The minimalist cookie-cutter approach is no longer the design standard for office environments of leading multinational companies. Integrating local culture and creating a diverse, inclusive and outstanding office space can help attract top talents. Amenities-rich, integrated facilities and thoughtful space planning, supported by local cultural design elements, demonstrates the company’s efforts to create a platform for employees in a positive way, while employees can realize their professional dreams and ambitions. The company’s values and the benefits of investing in the wellbeing of employees become more apparent.
Gensler is a long-term partner and collaborator with the global technology company, having a deep understanding that local culture is an important and integral element in the design of office environments today.
INFUSION OF LOCAL AESTHETICS
Suzhou, where the project is located, is home to China’s Jiangnan Culture. Jiangnan, which literally translates to a land to the south of the Yangtze River, paints a picture of exquisite elegance and rich cultural treasures – of classical Chinese gardens, Kunqu Opera and Su Embroidery.
Suzhou has long attracted technology companies for its rich cultural heritage, where the creativity and demands of pace of high technology can nest in the backdrop of history, traditions and culture, integrating to shape a new identity that is positive, inclusive and localized.
People, the frontiers of high technology and inheritors of traditions, are the core of company culture. By creating a culturally diverse, open and inclusive environment for employees, and thus stimulating their creativity, together with the familiarity of cultural elements can help to deepen their sense of belonging and identity to the company. This perfectly reflects the tech company’s vision that emphasizes innovation, inclusion and diversity.
The Classical Gardens of Suzhou, as a microcosm of the natural world, accentuates on building connections of the numerous pavilions, bridges, pools, and islands while creating different scenes that navigate the visitors with diverse experiences throughout the journey. Gensler’s design strategy establishes multi-level connections in the spatial layout for the confidential client Technology Park to create a “stacking garden” which intervenes spaces of various functions, from collaboration areas, focus zones to amenities seamlessly.
ARRIVAL HALL
The arrival hall specially blends the exterior paving and greenery as a natural transition from the outdoor, while a modern adaptation of Chinese screens represents client’s vision and respect to the local culture. The permeable façade of the building embodies the detail of the iconic Suzhou eave from Suzhou-style architecture.
LEVEL 2 ATRIUM
The level 2 atrium is a flexible and convertible amenities including the outdoor, sport court, indoor gym, game room and more. Elements of intangible cultural heritages, such as embroidery, silk, woodblock craft, Kun opera and more are also incorporated in the furnishing and furniture design of the park’s workspace.
With its attentive culture-rich environment, the Global Technology Company Suzhou Campus has attracted many tech talents and is leading a new trend in technology offices – a design that offers flexible workplaces, a focus on employee health and well-being, pursuit of sustainability and green materials, together with rich cultural aesthetics, once again highlights the company’s commitment to empower employees in achieving their professional ambitions and embarking on a career with the company.
Highlights:
- LEED Gold Certified
- All materials meet LEED and 2-star China green building standards
- Comfortable outdoor workspace
- Amenities: gym, yoga room, game room, music room, resting capsule
- Roof Terraces and Public Playground
- A prominent atrium façade
- Diversified and flexible office spaces
- Greenery and natural light
Global Technology Company Suzhou Campus
Interior Design: Gensler
Area: 22,000 sqm
Completed: August 2023
Location: Suzhou, China
Photography: Edward Shi