JDS architects: hangzhou waves

'hangzhou waves' by JDS architects, hangzhou, china
all images courtesy JDS architects

international practice JDS architects has created the winning competition proposal 'hangzhou waves', 
a luxury hotel and office complex in the hangzhou xintiandi district of hangzhou, china. placed back-to-back, 
the pair of structures mirror each other in form, opening a central void into each of the volumes which 
introduces natural daylight into the core of each building. 

comprised of small cubes, the exterior appearance of the hotel is a result of a series of stepped terraces 
which extend from each room providing surfaces for vegetation to produce a green roof effect. the downward 
sloping profile allows views of the adjacent park and canal.


stepped terraces open views to the adjacent park and canal from each hotel room

the office tower's main facade undulates from the highest point forming a smooth green roof with a skylight above
a central atrium. daylight enters all of the interior spaces either through the perimeter glass curtain walls or the 
internal glazed void.


high points of each tower are placed back-to-back


aerial view of hotel terraces


main entrance to the hotel block


main entrance to the office towers


view of the office tower


interior


office and hotel and night


hotel at night


site plan


hotel building site


building volume


volume manipulation


opening for natural daylight


views from hotel rooms


terraces from hotel rooms


terraces act as green roof

inlet for pedestrian access

inlet provides more ground level space


vegetation and water on the site


office building site


building volume


volume manipulation


opening for natural daylight


green roof

lift for access


vegetation and water on the site

project info:

project: office space, hotel 
budget: confidential 
type: invited competition
size: 120.000 m2 
client: xin tian di 
status: settled 2011
location: hangzhou, china 
team: jds, mudi, china cuc
jds partner in charge: julien de smedt 
project leader: junhee jung, charlotte lieske
project team: andrew griffin, henning stüben, francisco villeda, gladys greyl