The Sanlitun Taikoo Li project further amplifies the Open City concept that was first realised at Acer Aspire Park and utilises this approach in the regeneration of a central part of Beijing into a mixed-use commercial development. The Open City concept operates on the principle of streets, squares, and lanes, to create an effective platform for social interaction and the building of social networks in the city for people of all ages, and from different parts of the world.

Its design is based on 26 small building blocks, establishing an environment at human scale that provides the foundation and flexibility for continuous and successive change by users in years to come. Public spaces are built to high standards and contribute to the quality of public life in the city. The creation of Sanlitun on social media has been equally important as designing its physical existence and its presence within both realms is inseparable. The lessons learned from the success of the Sanlitun Taikoo Li project is that we must understand 21st century cities as networks of relationships. The flow of information is now key to the successful functioning of cities and the major challenge for the urban fabric is how it facilitates the building and functioning of continuously changing networks.

Team:
Architect: The Oval Partnership
Photography: Kerun Ip, leo.lee

Material Used:
1. Corten Steel /ISG: Corten Steel
2. ISG: Sandblasted original color stainless steel plate
3. German KME brand TECU series: Original color copper plate
4. COLT: Waterproof aluminum alloy blinds
5. ISG: Aluminum veneer, Single layer ultra white tempered glass, Transparent laminated tempered glass, Hollow colored glazed tempered glass, Insulated tempered glass, Aluminum wood blinds, Aluminum wood hanging board