The first tenants have moved into Grand Bayview Qianhai, a new building typology that is aimed specifically at professionals who have an intensive work-centred lifestyle. Designed by Foster + Partners, the two connected towers are arranged in a fan shape to optimise views and daylight, maximise privacy on the outer radius, and provide focused communal areas at the centre of the scheme.
Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “Our design responds to the unique needs of the tenants, by carefully balancing privacy and exclusivity with a sense of community in a relaxed environment. The towers deliver shared terraces on every floor and offer spectacular views, while providing natural ventilation and controlled daylight. Lush greenery flows across the ground plane and through both towers – allowing occupants to reconnect with nature and find balance at the end of the working day.”
Rising to 180 metres, the two apartment buildings are linked by a large semi-public garden that connects with adjacent greenbelts, extending the experience of the development at ground level. A deck on level two seamlessly connects with the elevated walkway network of Guiwan, providing a transitional space between neighbouring sites and creating a green urban oasis for the public to enjoy. As residents travel up through the buildings, green terraces provide shared communal spaces for relaxation across all levels. Soft planting on the terraces creates a calm and atmospheric sense of arrival, as residents step out from the lifts.
The towers’ sky gardens are a shared space for all residents. They offer spectacular views across the city and facilitate a wide range of activities, such as exercise classes and curated events. Each sky garden is a triple height space with louver shading and planting, offering a more private and exclusive atmosphere.
Units are designed to be extremely flexible and can be combined in the future. Modular construction allowed for prefabrication, saving time and ensuring quality control. The project reduced embodied carbon by minimising the use of concrete during construction. The entire superstructure, located above ground, is made from lightweight steel and was fabricated in a nearby region. The building envelope is prefabricated and was assembled off-site whenever possible.
Perry Ip, Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “Health, wellbeing, and community are the cornerstones of this unique project that will completely redefine the experience of city living.”
