Construction of the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Leeza SOHO mixed-use tower in Beijing is making progress as newly released photographs document.



Once the 46-story structure reaches its final height of 207 meters (679 feet) in September of this year, it will be home to the world's tallest atrium — an impressive 190-meter-tall central tunnel hugged by two wavy halves of the dissected larger volume.



Photo: Yicheng Yang. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Here is how ZHA describe the project: "The 172,800m² design straddles the new subway tunnel that diagonally divides the site. The tower rises as a single volume divided into two halves on either side of the tunnel. A central atrium – the world’s tallest – extends 190m through full height of the building and connects with the metro station below, creating a new public space for the city."

Photo: Yicheng Yang. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Photo: Satoshi Ohashi. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

"As the tower rises, the diagonal axis through the site defined by the subway tunnel is re-aligned by ‘twisting’ the atrium through 45 degrees to orientate the atrium’s higher floors with the historic north-south / east-west axes on which the city was founded."

Rendering by MIR. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Structure Diagram. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

"The atrium’s ‘twist’ allows natural light and views of the city from the centre of all floors of Leeza Soho. Sky bridges on structural rings at each refuge/MEP level and a double-insulated glass façade unite the two halves of the tower together within a single cohesive envelope."

Rendering by MIR. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Facade Explode Diagram. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

"Targeting LEED Gold certification, an advanced 3D BIM energy management system will monitor real-time environmental control and energy efficiency within Leeza Soho, integrating heat-recovery from exhaust air, high-efficiency pumps and fans, chillers and boilers, lighting and controls, in addition to water-collection, low-flow rate fixtures, grey water flushing and landscape irrigation."

Rendering by MIR. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Section through Atrium. Image courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Final completion of Leeza SOHO — Zaha Hadid Architects' fourth project collaboration with SOHO China — is scheduled for late 2018.

Project Data:

Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects

Design: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher

Project Director: Satoshi Ohashi

Site Area: 30,688 m2

Gross Floor Area: 172,800 m2

Above Ground: 124,000 m2

Below Ground: 48,800 m2

Height: 207 m

Top of occupied floor: 190.5 m (45 floors)

Floors Above Ground: 46 levels

Retail: 10,000 m2

Vehicle Parking: 480

Bicycle Parking: 2,680

