Development Green Gateway In Hongqiao

West of Shanghai, Gensler has designed a new symbol of China’s environmental coming-of-age.

- Austin Williams

Even by Chinese standards, Hongqiao, a suburb to the west of Shanghai, can lay claim to one of the most remarkable urban transformations of the past decade. Once a collection of fringe villages, it has emerged as a dynamic business district with thriving international connections. Covering an area of about 33 square miles, it is still one of the biggest metropolitan construction projects in China. No longer Shanghai’s poor cousin, it is a destination in its own right with a reputation for showcasing innovative architecture. Within a short radius, one can visit key projects by global A-list practices: master plans by Aedas, Atkins, and Make, and designs such as MVRDV’s Flower Building or Zaha Hadid Architects’ Sky SOHO.

The latest in this roll call is the Johnson Controls International (JCI) Asia Pacific Headquarters, the five-story, 378,000 square-foot office of the eponymous global technology company, which specializes in energy-efficient, renewable, and intelligent building systems. Johnson Controls has had an impressive environmental pedigree dating back to the 19th century, when it invented the electric room thermostat. The new headquarters was therefore created to be a showcase and a demonstration model for the company’s sustainable practices.