Pickings for architects have been slim in recent times, but Clifford Coonan, our man in China, brings encouraging news for the sector. He tells us Wilson Architecture has just won an international competition to build a twin high-rise tower development in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian, where the Cork-based firm has been building business for the past three years.
The Puyang VanSun Tower is a twin high-rise tower development in the new East Port area of downtown Dalian, and the structures are quite likely the two tallest buildings ever designed by an Irish architecture firm.
“This is a major scale international project, and we’re extremely pleased about it,” Frank O’Mahony, chairman of Wilson Architecture, told Clifford.
“The Chinese Market requires huge focus, dedication, and a continual on the ground presence. This latest commission is directly as a result of our commitment here,” he said.
The entire mixed-use development consists of 120,000 square metres of building area, with one 40-floor tower accommodating 1,000 residents and the second tower home to 3,500 office workers.
"The triangular site is very prominent in the city master plan with the new towers forming a focal point to the City's exciting new East Port area," said Glen Barry, Wilson's design principal.
Wilson fought off fairly intense international competition from French, Austrian and American firms to win the prestigious contract.
The project will take less than three years to complete with Wilson Architecture managing the design delivery process. Wilson will supervise the local design firm working on the project, as foreign architects are not permitted to do construction drawings.
Wilson first came to China in 2010 on a research project. In 2011 it completed its first construction project which was a hotel, golf club and resort development. The business has since been steadily gathering momentum across a number of sectors.
There will be a breaking of the ground ceremony tomorrow which will be attended by senior officials from the Dalian local government and representatives of the Irish Government.
The breaking of the ground ceremony traditionally is performed on a specially-selected time of the day and day of the month in the fengshui belief that this number gives the most luck and success to a project.
