Xijin Times Center in Jinan | Marcus Morichetto

Xijin Times Center is a new urban district adjacent to the western railway station in the Chinese city Jinan. The area will comprise of 800, 000 square metres of offices, hotels and commercial space. Sweco Architects has previously developed a master plan for the area and is further responsible for the conceptual design, as well as exterior and interior planning of the new buildings. Architects, planners, landscape architects and specialists within environment and water management at Sweco have been involved in the process. The new office and commercial district is expected to be completed in four phases – the first was finished during the spring in 2019.

Sweco Architects’ assignment involves the plots 12 to 14, containing sixteen buildings of varying height with 14 to 39 storeys. 

During the configuration phase, in-depth studies were conducted on the design of the buildings, with the aim to offer variation and diversity within a coherent aesthetical framework. A clear association to both the landscape plan and the urban environment adjacent to the railway station has been stressed. Considerable emphasis was placed on designing the central walkway, which is closed to traffic, and its connection to the public facilities on the lower floors. The area features several small public squares, a slightly larger park, as well as landscaped green rooftops.

The result is a new city within the city of Jinan, where landscape design and architecture are in unison. Xijin Times Centre will become a node along the highspeed train track between Beijing and Shanghai, and Jinan’s demand for a new office and commercial district of high international standards will be fulfilled.

 In 2019 the first plot was completed. It has been certiifed LEED Platinum In Use. It has become a well-known view from the Bejing-Shanghai speed train, with it's characteristic facade-  and light design pattern.

Team: Ben Leret, Idun Bäck, Marcus Morichetto, Karl-Johan Törngren, Joel Berring etc.