The Galaxy SOHO project in central Beijing for SOHO China is a 330 000m2 office, retail and entertainment complex that will become an integral part of the living city, inspired by the grand scale of Beijing. Its architecture is a composition of five continuous, flowing volumes that are set apart, fused or linked by stretched bridges. These volumes adapt to each other in all directions, generating a panoramic architecture without corners or abrupt transitions that break the fluidity of its formal composition.

The great interior courts of the project are a reflection of traditional Chinese architecture where courtyards create an internal world of continuous open spaces. Here, the architecture is no longer composed of rigid blocks, but instead comprised of volumes which coalesce to create a world of continuous mutual adaptation and fluid movement between each building. Shifting plateaus within the design impact upon each other to generate a deep sense of immersion and envelopment. As users enter deeper into the building, they discover intimate spaces that follow the same coherent formal logic of continuous curvelinearity.

The lower three levels of Galaxy SOHO house public facilities for retail and entertainment. The levels immediately above provide work spaces for clusters of innovative businesses. The top of the building is dedicated to bars, restaurants and cafés that offer views along one of the greatest avenues of the city. These different functions are interconnected through intimate interiors that are always linked with the city, helping to establish Galaxy SOHO as a major urban landmark for Beijing.

One of Beijing’s latest luxury shopping centres has used a decorative solution from Flowcrete to create floors that match the development’s highly stylised image.

Galaxy SOHO is a high-end commercial development in Beijing that exemplifies how terrazzo flooring can be utilised to create a striking, modern and eye catching aesthetic.

The prominent office and retail complex is situated next to Beijing’s East 2nd Ring Road and covers a 50,000 square metre site with graceful and fluid architectural lines. The facility not only boasts incredible visual appeal but also champions environmental and green building goals.

World renowned architect Zaha Hadid chose Flowcrete’s seamless epoxy terrazzo system Mondéco Crystal for Galaxy SOHO to create a dynamic and luxurious interior environment. 9,000 m2 of the solution was applied within the development in a bespoke design of contrasting light and dark bands.

From the outside the flowing bands of white aluminium and glass encasing the interior give the complex an incredible, eye-catching presence. Within the building this image is continued with a block of white floor that matches the walls and ceilings. A complimentary grey floor area borders the bright white centre with a visually striking black stripe separating the two colours.

Clear crystal and glass aggregates are incorporated within the resin make up of Mondéco Crystal so that the finish shimmers and sparkles. The hard-wearing nature of the system means that it can retain this attractive appearance in the face of continuous and heavy foot traffic.

The fact that the visual appeal of a Mondéco Crystal finish wouldn’t be diminished when faced with Galaxy SOHO’s everyday working conditions was a significant advantage. Its seamless, impervious surface makes it easy to wash dirt and contaminants from the area and its robustness will avoid floor failures despite heavy and continuous foot traffic.

The entire floor installation had to be completed within a six-month window so that it would be ready for the official opening date. During the application process the continual construction and maintenance work going on around the floor area had to be taken into consideration.

Green building practices were an important aspect of this development, as the architects designed and planned the project to meet LEED certification. Mondéco Crystal added to the site’s green credentials, as many of the decorative aggregates are reclaimed from waste streams to minimise the amount of material taken to landfills and its long life span avoids the environmental harm incurred during a flooring refurbishment.

"Galaxy Soho constitutes a new office, retail and entertainment complex for the heart of this great Chinese city – matching its grand scale. The complex comprises five continuous flowing volumes, set apart yet fused or linked by a sequence of stretched bridges. Each volume adapts outwards, generating a panoramic architecture devoid of corners or abrupt transitions.

Galaxy Soho reinvents the great interior courts of Chinese antiquity to create an internal world of continuous open spaces. Here, architecture no longer incorporates rigid blocks, but instead comprises volumes which coalesce to achieve continuous mutual adaptation and fluid movement between buildings. Shifting plateaus impact upon each other to generate a deep sense of immersion and envelopment, allowing visitors to discover intimate spaces as they move deeper in the building.

The structure’s three lower levels contain retail and entertainment facilities, those above provide works spaces for innovative businesses of many kinds, while top levels are dedicated to bars, restaurants and cafes – many with views along the city’s great avenues".