BIG announced its winning Qianhai Prisma Towers proposal in Shenzhen in 2023. The design combines towers with a substantial ground-level public-realm strategy. It is useful to examine the project from the street as well as through the skyline image, while keeping proposed elements distinct from confirmed construction or operation.
Qianhai Prisma Towers: the ground beneath the skyline
The towers’ form is only one part of an urban project. Entrances, shelter, landscape and connections to transport determine whether the spaces around them can support daily use. A visually open plaza does not automatically function as public space if access, management or climate makes staying difficult.
Testing the pedestrian experience
For a design review, trace several routes through the base: a commuter passing through, a resident entering and someone seeking a place to sit. Look for conflicts between service access and pedestrian movement. Then examine whether the tower’s structure and envelope reinforce or complicate those routes.
The environmental and social value of the proposal should be assessed with evidence as the project develops. Planting and canopies can express intentions for comfort, but their performance depends on orientation, maintenance and the actual dimensions of sheltered space. The transferable lesson is to test tall-building design at human scale before judging it solely by the apparent originality of its profile.
Compare the tower proposal with other tall-building precedents: tall-building precedents.
Key takeaways
- Distinguish the winning proposal from verified delivery status.
- Trace everyday routes through the tower bases.
- Evaluate shelter and access at pedestrian scale.
Related reading on Arch2O
Sources and further reading
Ruba Ahmed, a senior project editor at Arch2O and an Alexandria University graduate, has reviewed hundreds of architectural projects with precision and insight. Specializing in architecture and urban design, she excels in project curation, topic selection, and interdepartmental collaboration. Her dedication and expertise make her a pivotal asset to Arch2O.