Ding Tai He Financial Center Mixed-Use Development | Xiamen, Southern China
145,000 m² GFA

Located in the rapidly growing city of Xiamen in southern China, this 145,000 m² mixed-use development was designed to accommodate a variety of programs, including workplace, serviced apartments, SOHO units, and retail spaces. The project’s design was driven by the client’s request for simple, functional forms that could be constructed efficiently and later sold to different tenants. The clean massing of the office tower and SOHO apartment building reflects this simplicity, while the retail spaces were strategically placed to activate a central courtyard, enhancing the overall experience for both shoppers and the surrounding community.

The development features a carefully planned layout that balances density with open space. The retail component was positioned along the perimeter of the site to create a vibrant public courtyard in the center. This courtyard provides a gathering place not only for shoppers but also for local residents and visitors, adding value to the surrounding area. A pedestrian corridor, running between the office tower and the retail space, was designed to connect the west side of the site with the broader Central Business District (CBD). This corridor offers a natural flow for metro users, promoting walkability and making the site a vital part of the city’s urban fabric.

One of the defining elements of this project was the client’s desire to incorporate references to a dragon, a significant cultural symbol in Chinese mythology. Although dragons are imaginary creatures, we found a creative way to integrate this motif into the architecture by drawing inspiration from the texture of dragon scales. We experimented with the idea of a continuous surface wrapping the building masses, resulting in a textured facade that captures the essence of the dragon in an abstract and modern form. This wrapping not only adds a distinctive visual element but also serves to unify the different components of the development.

The facade itself was designed in response to stringent government regulations, which mandate that the glass-to-solid ratio must not exceed 50%. This requirement presented an opportunity to explore innovative facade treatments that balance transparency and solidity. The resulting facade alternates between glass and solid surfaces, creating an elegant pattern that reflects the concept of dragon scales while meeting regulatory requirements. This approach also enhances energy efficiency, contributing to the project’s sustainability goals by reducing heat gain and optimizing natural lighting inside the buildings.

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the design process. In addition to the energy-efficient facade, we integrated green roofs into the design, particularly atop the retail spaces. These green roofs serve multiple purposes: they provide residents and office workers with green spaces for relaxation and leisure while also helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect. By reducing the heat absorbed by the building and the surrounding area, the green roofs improve the microclimate of the development and promote environmental sustainability. The stepped massing of the retail buildings allowed us to incorporate rooftop amenities such as a pool and gym for the SOHO residents, as well as lush green terraces for the office occupants to enjoy.

The use of natural materials, such as wood accents on the retail facades, was another key aspect of the design. By introducing warm, tactile materials at the human scale, we aimed to soften the large-scale presence of the surrounding buildings and create a more welcoming, pedestrian-friendly environment. The wood elements also help to visually break up the facade, adding texture and depth while enhancing the connection between the built environment and the natural world.

Overall, this project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to urban design, blending functionality with cultural symbolism and sustainability. The careful integration of public spaces, pedestrian pathways, and green roofs ensures that the development not only meets the client’s commercial objectives but also contributes to the city’s urban fabric in a meaningful way. By responding to both regulatory constraints and the need for cultural references, this project represents a successful fusion of modern design principles and traditional symbolism.