Steven Holl Architects to design iCarbonX's new live-work HQ in Shenzhen

Steven Holl Architects has unveiled more details of their winning proposal for the new headquarters of iCarbonX, a genome machine intelligence company in Shenzhen. The current design, which features two connected glass towers, was inspired by a study of genes and DNA and reflects iCarbonX's mission of “unfolding information” and applying science to everyday life, SHA explains.

Read on for more about the design.

The first tower is dubbed “Body A” and will be a 150-meter-tall residential tower, while the second “Body B” tower will be 200 meters tall and comprise of offices, labs, and public reception spaces. 

Four green bridges act “as carbon bonds” to join the towers. “The two upper bridges contain the health program, joining a health and nutrition circuit with cafes, a gym, and a swimming pool. The two lower bridges join to form public outreach spaces, a clinic, galleries, and meeting spaces.” 

The central element of the project is the iCarbonX Clinic, which will anchor the Living and Working towers, therefore reinforcing the company's mission to apply science to daily life.

“A curtain wall of fritted glass with varying translucencies provides tailored shade to the building's exposures and light conditions,” the firm describes. “Curvilinear geometry shapes the ground-level public space with water gardens and a central recycled-water ‘Pool of Knowledge’. The public space is partially embedded in the ground, and the pool's continuously circulating water masks the sounds of the city to create a more peaceful, protected space.”

The design is currently in development, and foundation construction is currently scheduled to begin this fall.

Check out more project photos in the gallery below.