Tencent's New Headquarters: A futuristic sprawl with a twist
With a staggering 499,900 square meters, the new Tencent headquarters designed by Ole Scheeren's firm will house over 23,000 employees, making it nearly twice the size of Apple's office in California when it opens in five years. The visionary German architect shared exclusive renderings with CNN, revealing a spiraling design with four towers sprouting from a central, open space infamously known as the "Vortex Incubator."
Located at the heart of Tencent's ambitious and nearly car-free "future city," this distinctive symbol will stand tall in Shenzhen, China. Known as the tech giant responsible for WeChat and QQ messaging services, Tencent is leading this project.
Speaking to CNN via video call, Scheeren stated the swirling geometry of this edifice will foster an ecological system, where work is seamlessly integrated, and collaboration flourishes in a highly interactive environment.
Tencent picked Scheeren's vision after conducting an international design competition, making his firm the chosen architect for the wortsetz-notiertsten Unternehmen Chinas.
The lower levels of this project, dubbed "Tencent Spiral," will connect multiple office buildings through a vast lobby and public facilities such as educational, entertainment, sports, and fitness spaces, including basketball courts, tennis courts, and badminton courts. Featuring a blend of public and private spaces at the ground level, this structure will eradicate the concept of a front or back entrance.
Scheeren, recognized for collaborating on the iconic CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, shared that the building will not have a prominent front- or back-side, as it will change appearance based on viewing angle.
"City within a City"
Beginning its construction in 2020, the colossal community, earlier known as "Internet City," will be built on reclaimed land stretching to the mouth of the Pearl River. Connected to Shenzhen through ferries and the city's U-Bahn system, this self-sufficient community will be car-free but still offer ease of access for employees via a bridge connecting parking lots and cargo stations.
The Tencent headquarters will be one of many buildings on this plot, eventually housing schools and public facilities as well. While some constructions are underway, design frameworks for others are yet to be disclosed.
To cultivate unity between the new campus and its surroundings, Scheeren's spiral pattern (inspired by galaxies and storm clouds) will expand into a network of footpaths that branch out from the central structure. The masterplan also envisions a winding road that exemplifies New York's High Line, becoming an integral part of the city and urban communities.
Enthusing about this approach, Scheeren explained how he strategically included pedestrian networks and green spaces without substantially altering the existing structures, thereby preserving the public space, intending to unify the larger project.
Reinventing XXI-Century Corporate Camps
Scheeren emphasized on integrating nature within the design, thereby crafting a bond with the exterior world while still maintaining a functional workspace.
Planned with natural ventilation, this "Swamp City" project adopts a water management design concept, involving rainwater absorption to prevent storm surges and floods, conserving water resources.
Distinguishing itself from sprawling US tech campuses, which Scheeren categorizes as suburban design, the compact Tencent Helix structure aims to achieve a more urban feel. Placing emphasis on work as a serious endeavor, Scheeren strove to create an office that promotes the professional identity of employees, steering clear of "playpen" workspaces.
"The office isn't just a cell anymore, but neither should it be a playground," he asserted.
While no specific date has been announced for the opening of Tencent Helix, it is expected to come into existence in 2028, coinciding with Tencent's 30th anniversary and replacing the Shenzhen headquarters as the company’s global headquarters.
