Redefining the skyline of one of Chinas most dynamic cities, the Hangzhou Prism represents a new era of mixed-use architecture.
The development seamlessly blends the scale of an innovation hub with the intimacy of a communal village. We spoke with OMA Partner Chris van Duijn about the projects symbiotic design, the power of public spaces, and how changing demographics are actively shaping the future of Asian urbanism.
Hangzhou Prism feels like a strikingly contemporary addition to the city. How would you describe it to someone encountering it for the first time?
It is a building that embodies innovation within a neighborhood designed to be Hangzhous own Silicon Valley. At the same time, it strives to be a place where people genuinely feel at home. By integrating spaces for staying, living, and working, we aimed to create a small village within a sprawling metropolis. In rapidly expanding cities, people often find their daily activities increasingly segregated. This building counters that by concentrating energy, creativity, and daily life into a single, cohesive environment.
How did the idea of a symbiotic relationship between people and architecture influence the spatial planning and form?
Urban planners typically think in towers, which essentially represent quantity and footprint but rarely interact with their immediate surroundings. Because this site is the core of the CBD—adjacent to the MTR, commercial streets, and mixed-use facilities—we wanted a structure with intense synergy between the building and the city. The two literally come together in the atrium, which functions as a large civic space. Depending on the day, it might host children playing, people enjoying a drink, or large-scale public events. We wanted to create a place that captures the citys energy while still feeling inviting.
If you had to highlight one element in the Prism that captures the spirit of the project, what would it be?
The central atrium is undeniably the main space. It is essentially a massive volume of complete emptiness, comparable to the scale of a European cathedral. The space stands 80 meters high, 40 meters wide, and over 100 meters long—nearly the size of a football field. The challenge was creating such a vast, empty space without making visitors feel lost or intimidated.
When you step inside, even if you are entirely alone, it feels incredibly welcoming. Bright daylight filters in, the acoustics are carefully balanced, and you can feel a gentle breeze. Achieving this sensory balance—where light, sound, and airflow harmonize—is the most rewarding aspect of the project. You can simulate these elements through models and renderings, but you only truly understand a spaces success once it is completed and life begins to unfold inside it.
When you step inside, even if you are entirely alone, it feels incredibly welcoming. Bright daylight filters in, the acoustics are carefully balanced, and you can feel a gentle breeze.
How did OMA balance the clients brief with the studios own architectural convictions?
The client had previously focused strictly on residential developments located outside the city centre, making this core CBD project a new frontier for them. They recognized it was an important site and actively sought out collaboration to navigate the complexities of a non-traditional residential project. A successful project requires a client who is both open-minded and critical, which is exactly what we found.
During our initial meetings, we presented several ideas they had not explicitly requested. They quickly became enthusiastic about leaving their safe path to pursue something highly atypical for their portfolio. We built this crucial trust over months of in-person workshops, spending days together to align our ambitions. It was a smooth, highly collaborative journey, and the design process remained well-supported even amidst the unexpected challenges of the pandemic.
What are some of the most exciting or unexpected design challenges that emerged?
The most radical change was shifting from a purely residential brief to a comprehensive mixed-use development. Initially, the client envisioned a standout residential tower with smaller, easily sellable towers to finance a second phase. We eventually proposed turning the project into a mixed-use hub, combining the residential tower with a hotel, offices, startup incubators, and commercial spaces.
This evolution made the building exponentially stronger. Introducing a hotel and office spaces brings a completely different rhythm of occupancy and energy compared to a strictly residential building. I am highly satisfied with this shift because it perfectly reflects the nature of this urban core. With the MTR and major transport nodes right next door, it naturally acts as a vibrant hub for diverse residents, office workers, and tourists.
Looking ahead, what types of urban conditions in Asia are you most interested in exploring?
When you design large new towns that take decades to develop, you must design for change and uncertainty. A few decades ago, the fascination with Chinese urbanization centered entirely on super-rapid expansion. Moving forward, the task is no longer just controlled growth, but transforming these urban expansions into cities with genuine character, identity, and soul. Hangzhou Prism attempts to establish this narrative by merging future technology with the poetry of historic Hangzhou.
The biggest uncertainty we are currently exploring is the demographic shift sweeping across East Asia. Urban planners have historically focused on building more to accommodate rapid growth, but we are entering an era where we must design cities with less. Within a generation, certain city populations could reduce significantly, fundamentally altering street life, public financing, and community needs.
Urban planners have historically focused on building more to accommodate rapid growth, but we are entering an era where we must design cities with less.
This is a silent crisis taking place right now. Our next major mission at OMA is to develop a vision for how cities can adapt and transform without losing their vitality—a territory that remains largely unexplored by both architects and governments.
Photos: Courtesy of OMA
