The construction for Shimao Riverfront mixed-use development is well underway. Designed by Ping Jiang, Design Principal of EID Architecture, this large mixed-use project is located near the interchange between the airport express highway and Qiantang River Bridge Crossing. It emerges as a critical urban node for the city of Hangzhou, best known for its picturesque West Lake, tea farms and birthplace of E-commerce giant Alibaba.

The concept of Shimao Riverfront derives from the citiscope based on Qiantang tides, integrating regional culture genes of Hangzhou and supertall building design effectively. The twin towers at height of 280 meter echo the high-rise apartments and multi-storey ancillary buildings, forming a group of dynamic city sculpture.

The project provides 370,000 square meter of office, residential, commercial space and a public park. This development is organized as a group of five buildings, forming an open public space to stimulate encounter and exchange. Tower A and B are centerpiece of the development, accommodating office and residential use. The three-storey annex provides commercial spaces and amenities to serve the complex and neighborhood. The horizontal undulating façade of the annex takes form of the river, offering a pedestrian friendly and permeable interface. The roof terrace at upper level further extends out to engage the landscape, blurring the boundary between the architecture and landscape. A sculptural connecting piece serves as a canopy to link the two towers at the base, creating a pleasant walking experience for public.

The design of Shimao Twin towers is intended to establish an identity for the emerging district of Riverfront, while creating an iconic gateway into the city center. The abstracted curvilinear pattern on tower surface animates the façade, reflecting the dynamics of Qiantang River. Wrapping around with milky white glass, these twin towers are further delineated with vertical articulations, creating a kinetic surface effect. The overall effect of the façade is that of a pristine form that captures an ever-evolving display of refracted light, evoking an imagery of surging tide, a hydrogeological phenomenon frequently occurred in the region.

Meanwhile, the project has made a positive exploration and attempt on the new complex, trying to create an open public space. The slender twin towers employ a composite structure system with outrigger trusses coupled to mega columns and diagonal-braced frame, optimizing the structure for maximum efficiency and resulting a slender form. In collaboration with New York based structure engineering firm LERA to achieve LEED Gold certification, the twin towers are clad in self-shading aluminum fins and high-performance glass, while reducing both glare and solar heat gain.