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Elevated City Square Featuring Continuous Escalators and Multifunctional Spaces

Author:
Yiqian Ye
Elevated City Square Featuring Continuous Escalators and Multifunctional Spaces
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The elevated city square is linked by continuous escalators, creating a unique multifunctional space that integrates cultural and community activities within a prominent Beijing skyscraper.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated city square enhances urban interaction.
02
Continuous escalator system connects all public spaces.
03
Triangular frame-core structure enables flexible layouts.
04
Transformation shifts focus from offices to cultural use.
05
Design accommodates increased pedestrian flow effectively.

The Vertical Culture Center focuses on renovating the Zhonghong Building, which sits at an important junction in Beijing's central business district. The project responds to the problems of urban density and environmental concerns by changing how skyscrapers can be used. By shifting from a traditional office layout to a space that includes cultural, artistic, and leisure activities, it aims to improve community engagement and foster more interaction among urban residents.

Design Concept and Functionality

The design concept reimagines the existing structure to create a venue for public activities. New spaces such as a lecture hall, botanical museum, reading room, exhibition hall, and catering areas will be incorporated. This encourages community involvement and cultural sharing among people visiting the center, making it a focal point for various forms of interaction.

Structural Configuration

The Zhonghong Building features a triangular frame-core tube structure, notable for having no internal columns. This design choice offers flexibility within the interior layouts, allowing different configurations as needed. While the core structure is complete, construction has stopped due to several reasons, presenting both challenges and opportunities moving forward.

Transportation and Accessibility

An essential part of the design is the transportation model that considers the new public uses of the building. By lifting the city square above ground level, an escalator system links the various public spaces together. This approach not only manages expected increases in pedestrian traffic but also enhances the overall experience for visitors, allowing them to enjoy views of the city from different levels.

Architectural Engagement

The Vertical Culture Center enriches the urban environment by redefining what skyscrapers can offer in city life. It emphasizes connection and accessibility, allowing the building to become a vibrant urban hub. The blend of cultural activities creates a lively atmosphere where community interaction can thrive.

The carefully designed escalator system stands as a visual element within the building. It draws attention to the interplay between movement and space, inviting visitors to experience the surrounding urban landscape from new perspectives.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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