Microsoft Zizhu Campus
B+H Architects, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, was tasked to create a unique workplace campus -the Microsoft Zizhu Campus - within China while incorporating some of the key elements of the Microsoft Head Office including green features, sports facilities, social spaces, and an emphasis on outdoor activities and community.
A campus in one of Shanghai’s high tech business parks, this master plan accommodates the Microsoft office and support facilities. The overall master plan is framed by L-shaped office blocks in each corner that border the central open space, outdoor recreational facilities, and common-use activity building. Campus facilities face onto a landscaped central hub that contributes to a sense of well-being and connection. Providing a comprehensive solution, we applied integrated planning, landscape, and architectural services to create a new central R&D facility for Microsoft.
At the centre of the campus stands the activity building featuring recreational, service and meeting facilities. Shaded walkways connect buildings and people while dense plantings create a natural landscape and outdoor environment. Emphasizing green elements and sustainable features, the campus maximizes outdoor green space and full-height windows connect indoor spaces to the exterior. A green rooftop creates an additional layer of landscaped public space on the podium.
As part of the campus’ emphasis on sustainability, buildings are designed with high performance envelopes, double-glazing and solar shading. Lighting systems with daylight control, dimming and occupancy sensors and interior light shelves allow natural light to penetrate deeper into the building’s floorplates, thereby conserving energy costs. Captured rainwater is reused for the landscape. Finally, the four building and central hub master plan was phased to meet Microsoft’s request for flexibility in response to their anticipation of evolving business needs. Large open office spaces allow for varying setups and provide the space and adaptability Microsoft requires to continue to grow as requirements change.
