The new CaoHeJing Guigu Creative Headquarters

Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects design for the new CaoHeJing Guigu Creative Headquarters in Shanghai has broken ground on Monday 18th September. Developed by government backed CaoHeJing Hi-Tech Park, the project is aimed as CaoHeJing's platform for innovation. The new Centre will support and nurture high-tech firms, and connect local and overseas university graduates and enterprises and act as an accelerator for new technology in China. The project sits on the edge of Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, a state level economic and technological development zone covering an area of 14.5 km2 east of downtown Shanghai, and home to some 1200 domestic and overseas hi-tech companies. The project composing of three volumes split by two external landscaped terraces that contain shared meeting and support functions. The two upper volumes contain divisible incubator studio space while the lower volume contains the main lobby, exhibition and event space and a coffee bar. "The volumes are playfully staggered to create a combination of exposed and shaded external spaces that can be utilised at different times of the year in Shanghai's variable weather conditions", said Schmidt Hammer Lassen Partner, Chris Hardie. "By doing this we create a direct connection to exterior green space for the buildings occupants to use throughout the year." The project is the third collaboration between Schmidt Hammer Lassen and CaoHeJing and is expected to complete in 2020.