The Garden of the Humble Administrator in Suzhou, dating back to 1513, is one of the most famous of all classical Chinese gardens, an example of traditional landscaping that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ability to seamlessly integrate human craftsmanship and natural beauty. With its rocks, trees and flowers, pavilions, bridges and ponds that capture and play with light, the garden conveys a sense of serenity and contemplation. It also served as inspiration for the recently completed Yangtze River Delta International R&D Park in this city with a population of over 10 million people in the Qingpu district of Shanghai, Jiangsu province.
Completed in 2022, the project was assigned by the Suzhou Yangcheng R+D Industrial company to the award-winning German architectural firm gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects following a design competition held in 2018. The firm is also known for its work on the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute in Nanjing, completed in 2021.
The new complex serves as a pilot project to drive the industrial development of a region that is crucial to the Chinese economy as a whole – accounting for about a quarter of its GDP – through research and development, patents, imports and exports. The Yangtze River Delta International R&D Park occupies a 1 million square metre site within the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Zone and has a clearly defined architecture consisting of five groups of buildings. Extending over a total area of 372,000 square metres, the complex offers a variety of spaces, including offices ranging in size from 700 to 1,900 square metres per floor, a conference centre complete with a cafeteria and hotel, as well as an exhibition hall with additional meeting areas. At its centre stands a large scientific and technological research centre focusing on the interactions between artificial intelligence and big data. The R&D park also offers essential services to ensure its self-sufficiency, including accommodation for staff and guests, as well as commercial and recreational areas.
According to Nikolaus Goetze, Executive Partner at gmp, “The Park is a wonderful example of our philosophy of unity with diversity. The building cubatures are designed and built in five groups that vary slightly in shape and facade development. The approximately 300,000 square metre space houses research and science facilities, a conference centre with a cafeteria and hotel as well as an exhibition hall.”
Inevitably, a modern technology park adopts innovative strategies to combat climate change and protect both the built and natural, albeit highly urbanised, environments, spaces where greenery plays a pivotal role. The 5-hectare Garden inspired a contemporary and environmentally-conscious approach to sustainability. The greenery and ponds surrounding the buildings create refreshing and calm spaces, while also contributing to the concept of a “sponge city”. This approach is vital for mitigating the effects of heavy rainfall and enhancing water quality through natural absorption and filtration processes, as well as reducing urban heating.
Rocks and natural elements served as a rich source of inspiration for the architectural surfaces of the new building, leading to the selection of Italian ceramic tiles from Cotto d’Este, which also bring benefits in terms of efficiency and ecological sustainability. The D Centre’s ventilated façades are clad with ultra-thin, large-format Kerlite 3plus panels from the Buxy Collection, measuring just 3.5 mm in thickness and chosen in the Corail Blanc shade inspired by original Burgundy stone. These panels are designed with sustainability in mind, from the reduced use of raw materials to lower water and energy consumption and CO2 emissions during production. With their slightly textured surface marked by deep vertical reveals, these ceramic panels not only give the building a distinctive visual identity but also play a crucial role in managing energy exchange and sunlight penetration. “The eye-catching façade, which at first glance might appear uniform but upon closer inspection displays subtle variations, provides passive solar shading thanks to the deep reveals and their different orientations,” concludes Goetze. “The spacing between the reveals further enhances the overall composition.”
