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Three projects by ZHA win The Plan Awards 2020

Three projects by Zaha Hadid Architects has won The Plan Awards 2020: Leeza SOHO, Beijing in the ‘Office & Business’ category; Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing in the ‘Transport’ category & Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah in the ‘Sports & Leisure’ category.

The Plan Awards were established to promote discourse and debate on global design and planning themes.

Leeza SOHO’s Beijing site is diagonally dissected by an underground subway service tunnel at the intersection of five new lines currently under construction on Beijing’s Subway network. Straddling this tunnel, the tower’s design divides its volume into two halves enclosed by a single facade. The space between these two halves extends the full height of the tower, creating the world’s tallest atrium at 194m which rotates as the tower rises to realign the upper floors with Lize road to the north.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is 46km south of the city (20 mins by express train). Its 700,000m² passenger terminal includes a ground transportation centre offering direct connections with the national high-speed rail network and local train services. Echoing principles within traditional Chinese architecture that organise interconnected spaces around a central courtyard, the design guides all passengers seamlessly through the relevant departure, arrival or transfer zones towards the courtyard at its centre. 6 flowing forms within the terminal’s vaulted roof reach to the ground to support the structure and bring natural light within, directing all passengers towards the central court. Linear skylights provide an intuitive system of navigation throughout the building, guiding passengers to and from their departure gates.

The Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar was inaugurated last May by hosting the 2019 Amir Cup Final. The first new venue commissioned for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the stadium incorporates an operable roof to shade the field of play. Passive design principles along with detailed computer modelling and wind tunnel testing were employed to maximise the effectiveness of the enclosure for player and spectator comfort. Reflecting Al Wakrah’s maritime heritage, the stadium’s design incorporates local cultural references combined with practical responses to climate, context & functional requirements. Al Janoub’s 40,000 seating capacity for the World Cup will be reduced to 20,000 seats after 2022 - optimum capacity as home ground to the local Al Wakrah Sport Club professional team.

The Plan Awards 2020 website