 |
DJI has opened its new headquarters, named DJI Sky City, in Shenzhen, China, to unite its staff under one roof. In this case, there are several different and well-manicured rooftops. Nevertheless, the idea is that a leading manufacturer in drone and camera technology can now provide a more collaborative environment versus having its employees spread out across different buildings.
DJI views itself as a ‘cutting-edge innovation hub’ and wanted its offices to reflect this ethos. Award-winning architectural firm Foster + Partners, known for designing Apple’s Cupertino, California-based headquarters, is responsible for the structure that consists of two 200-meter-tall towers, of 40 and 44 stories, respectively, connected by a 90-meter bridge.
 |
| A 90-meter bridge connects the two main towers, symbolizing DJI’s aerial approach to linking all departments and achieving a common goal. |
Superior architecture is rife with symbolism and DJI’s headquarters isn’t an exception. According to the company, this is the first use of an asymmetrical suspension steel structure in high-rise towers of this scale. Floating boxes containing office spaces, plus research and development hubs, are ‘cantilevered from central cores by large megatrusses’ – creating the illusion of floating towers when viewed from a distance.
 |
The structure’s design is a physical representation of DJI’s full name, Da-Jiang Innovations or “Innovation without Borders” translated from Mandarin. V-shaped trusses that shape the spaces connected to the towers eliminate the need for the columns that define traditional office spaces. This is meant to add an openness – including 4-story flight testing spaces – which fosters a more collaborative environment.
 |
At the ground level, lifted volumes containing greenery are drawn in to the base of the buildings through a sloping garden. This garden is open to the public, as is a healthcare center that is available on the ground floor. Each lobby contains a black pine coupled with a zen garden set against a striated metal wall panel created by a rammed Earth process. The message? Future progress co-exists with the company’s deep roots.
 |
| Four-story-high flight testing spaces can be found amongst the offices. |
The company also wanted to pay respect to Shenzhen and the community by ensuring that the building contained sustainable elements. The office floorplates maximize daylight, thus reducing energy consumption. A system that harvests rainwater and recycles gray water was also incorporated by Foster + Partners.
 |
| Gardens and a public healthcare space on the ground floor are meant to show care for the Shenzhen community at large. |
‘It took us six years to build the new DJI Headquarters, which is the result of the wisdom and determination of DJI and our valued partners,’ said Frank Wang, Founder and CEO of DJI. ‘We see Sky City as a product unlike any we’ve ever made: our real home […] This starts with a work environment that is both practical and delightful. I hope that Sky City will inspire all of us to work together and scale new heights of progress, wisdom, and possibilities to develop solutions that benefit society.’
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.
