Hangzhou Development, China

Sheppard Robson's scheme for a 6m sq ft mixed-use development in Hangzhou, China, featuring five office towers, a five star hotel tower, and a residential Tower scheme has been shortlisted for the final competition. The towers will be linked by a six storey 750m long 'sky-bridge' 60m in the air, which will also be an exclusive retail destination topped by a botanical garden. The scheme is designed as a carbon neutral ultra low energy solution utilising 50% of the energy of a traditional development on the same site. 12.5% of the energy will be provided by wind turbines in the sky-bridge and a further 12.5% from PV's in the cladding of the towers. The scheme also aims to harvest rainwater and recycle all grey water via a reed bed filtration system which forms the eco-park at ground-level. The scheme has been highly praised for its innovation by the Hangzhou government. Battle McCarthy provided sustainability advice, ARUP structures and Edco - Landscape. The winner of the design competition will be announced with in a month.