The emblem of the architectural novelty has marked the sky with the build-up of an extraordinary building in the core of the Yangpu District, which is noted well by northeast Shanghai. The Axiom, a vertical urban village by the office of Ole Scheeren, has become the tallest building in the area with a height of 280 m. (49 stories), thus adding to the skyline, though at a somewhat staggering height. This rather Machiavellian building, which is destined to become a landmark in the urban space, is also considered the gateway to The Springs, which is a rapidly developing area of collaboration and innovation originated by Tishman Speyer, one of the most prominent real estate developers from the United States of America.
Breaking Away from Corporate Tower Archetypes
Diverting a few urban steps away and leaving behind the conventional mold of the corporate world of the tall glass-encased towers, The Axiom embodies a very refreshing take on minimalism and functionalism, being inspired by the architecture pioneers like Mies van der Rohe's timeless Seagram Building in New York City. Amidst China's skyline dominated by skyscrapers, The Axiom stands out as a modern interpretation of the corporate skyscraper archetype, offering over 185,000 square meters of office space, hotels, retail outlets, and cultural facilities. Notably, it introduces a novel offset core design, diverging from the ubiquitous central-core typology prevalent in high-rise constructions. By ingeniously positioning services and elevators along the facade, Büro Ole Scheeren liberates the interior floor plates from structural constraints, fostering expansive, efficient, and adaptable workspaces tailored to the evolving needs of burgeoning startups and established corporations.
Central to the design philosophy of Ole Scheereisre are the striking volumetric openings that give birth to the sculptural Sky Terraces. This mid-tower area expands the field of possibilities. It serves as a fruitful zone of collaborative spaces, social interaction, and camaraderie among workers who can meet with the city's natural beauty from the height of the building. Featuring vertical bronze fins and a splash of color from the illuminated elevators, those terraces make the skyscraper's exterior look attractive and provide a fluid image of the urban environment. Subverted by the multiple-layered openness of The Axiom's unique design is the traditional geometry of the uniform shafts in the context of conventional skyscrapers; the outside world can peep into the interior of the building, which in turn blurs the boundaries between the outer area of the city and the inner part of the building.
Integrating Nature and communication draws you further into Axiom's Roof Oasis, entwined among its architectural masterpiece on its upper part. With vivid greenery and attractive water feature,es this outdoor spacservesve as the perfect backdrop to the urban environment by leading to the renewal and sustainability of the local district and vicinity wetland eco-park. One more, the Cultural Gate, the podium with mixed functions lying below the towers, is linking the whole area and its neighborhood. Thanks to the communal lounge area, the outdoor areas, the coffee shop, and the library, the Cultural Gate extends beyond its initial functionality, becoming an active cultural center for inhabitants and guests.
In the words of Ole Scheeren, "Boosting its functionalism and iconicity, the two towers of the Axiom represent the city that benefits from the dynamic and forward-looking processes that are the core of Shanghai's 21th century innovation and creativity." The Axiom is not only a symbol of architectural brilliance but also a legacy. These memories confirm that in this beautiful city inspiration in the grand scheme of things, it is how meticulously planned and conscientiously well-designed it is, in addition to its striking aesthetics, that makes it a beacon, urging everyone to open their eyes and reach beyond the limits they accept.
