New Lake Front complex in Suzhou Unveiled

John Portman & Associates (PORTMAN) has designed a mixed use project on the east side of the Du Shu Lake in Suzhou, China. The Suzhou Du Shu Lake CBD Core Area was planned by the Municipal Government to boost development of higher education and innovative technology in Suzhou. PORTMAN’s project site is Lot 19. The planned complex includes SOHO (small office/home office), Residential, Hotel and Retail components.

An interesting combination of curvilinear and rectilinear forms, the urbane complex acknowledges and harmonizes well with the radial master plan of Moon Bay and the buildings already in place. Two tall towers align to the Western setback line descending from the Southeast corner of the site with two low-rise buildings in between. This strong formal arrangement introduces the idea of edge and center, with the center opening up to the residential garden spaces. Crossing the site is a 66 ft (20 m) greenbelt, which connects the bay side with the lake side. When complete, the project will include a gross building area of 1,444,529 sf (134,203 sm).