The California architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has begun work on a new, massive headquarters building in the Chinese city of Shenzhen for the China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC).

“The 270-meter-tall structure, designed by SOM after winning an international competition, will stand as a 53-story tower. The project aims to serve as a corporate hub while also incorporating sustainable practices. The development is scheduled for completion by 2029,” according to archdaily.com

“The headquarters will feature a central sky lobby acting as a green communal space within the tower's core, a rooftop garden with panoramic views of Qianhai Bay, and a tiered podium at the base. The building's green amenities aim to foster a healthy working environment. At the ground level, a grand office lobby, a sunlit atrium, and a sunken plaza provide public access and connectivity to the surrounding urban infrastructure.”

In addition, according to the archdaily.com article, SOM's architecture incorporates several energy-efficient technologies aimed at minimizing its environmental footprint:

• Intelligent daylight sensing systems are employed to maximize natural light usage while reducing energy consumption for lighting.
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)  creates sustainable energy sources, while optimized material usage aims to minimize waste.
• The water management system includes rainwater harvesting and efficient waste recycling processes to reduce water usage and promote conservation.