Alibaba Hangzhou Xixi Campus Phase IV, located in Hangzhou’s Yuhang District, spans 132,920 m2. With an above-ground floor area of 16,722 m2 and a total floor area of 39,762 m2, the Phase IV project surpasses the combined scale of Phases I, II and III. Phase IV is a “playful brush stroke” in Alibaba’s magnificent blueprint and represents a crucial juncture in the strategic deployment of Alibaba (China) Technology Co. Ltd.
The Alibaba Xixi Phase IV property, owned and operated independently by the Alibaba Group, is a mixed-use office park primarily intended for its own use. It also features facilities for dining, commerce, guest conferences, sports, and entertainment. Benoy provided comprehensive interior design services for all interior spaces within the Phase IV campus. This project is one of four collaborative projects between Benoy and Alibaba.
The main buildings within the campus are interconnected and arranged in a hexagonal structure, resembling a beehive, and positioned in a staggered pattern throughout the entire campus. The campus layout consists of two clusters, one situated in the eastern and the other in the western section. The sports centre is centrally located between the two clusters, adjacent to a diamond-shaped staff canteen. Additionally, the visitor centre is located in the southwest corner of the campus. The primary user group for this campus is the younger workforce of Phase IV, typically employees in their 20s and 30s, along with campus visitors. The facility has the capacity to accommodate approximately 9,000 Alibaba employees at any time.
Design of the office spaces:
Human-centric design combined with high-tech workplace solutions
In the original design, the ground floor was detached from the entrance lobby, which housed offices, a ground-floor office area, as well as associated commercial spaces and plant rooms. However, considering the significant number of multimedia training programmes planned for the campus, we have converted some of the ground floor and first floor office areas into training classrooms to ensure convenient access for both internal and external trainers.
The park primarily caters to a young and vibrant user base characterized by their outspoken nature, unity, openness, passion, activity, and creativity. Despite working long hours, typically ranging from 8 to 12 hours or more, these individuals strive to strike a balance between work and life. To address their needs, we have transformed a section of the ground floor offices into a versatile co-living space. This area provides an escape from the conventional office environment, allowing individuals to take a brief break and rejuvenate their minds and bodies. It serves the functional needs of relaxation and socialising, while also serving as a venue for staff birthday parties and festive events.
The first to seventh floors of the building are dedicated to office spaces, featuring desk clusters for different teams. The floor plan has been carefully designed to cater to the specific work nature and requirement of the users. Each desk cluster includes functional areas, such as workspaces, meeting areas, relaxation and collaboration spaces, kitchenettes, and copier rooms, and have been arranged strategically. The design of each space aligns with the unique style and equipment configurations needed for various usage scenarios. Emphasising the human experience, the design aims to inspire and energise Alibaba employees.
Design of the visitor spaces:
Creating immersive, connected spaces
The visitor centre encompasses various functional elements that are thoughtfully designed to facilitate a seamless experience for visitors. It includes a visitor lobby, a VIP meeting and dining area, a lecture hall, and a general visitor meeting area. The layout ensures a clear and smooth flow of functions, with well-defined traffic routes for wayfinding.
The interior design style harmonises the serene and peaceful ambiance of the space with its functional aspects, seeking to strike a delicate balance between the “interactive” nature of the functions and the “peaceful” perception of the space. The goal is to provide both staff and visitors with a tranquil and comfortable environment that facilities the exchange of ideas and encourages interaction.
Design of dining areas and sports facilities:
Versatile and tailored spaces for staff
With a strong emphasis on prioritising the wellbeing of staff, the campus features an exclusive sports centre and staff restaurant. The sports centre offers a range of facilities including basketball and badminton courts, ping pong tables, exercise equipment, and yoga spaces. Meanwhile, within the staff cafeteria, additional features have been implemented to encourage a positive relationship between mindful eating and mental-wellbeing. The buffet area, team dining area, and a lunch counter offer a variety of nutritious meal options, along with regular snack foods. The space employs different colour schemes and ceiling designs to help people navigate the different zones.
Project overview:
Scope of services:
Interior design
Category:
Workplace, industrial park
Client:
Alibaba
Project area:
Total development area approx. 428,000 m²
Interior design area approx. 146,000 m²
Principle project designer:
Qin Pang
Project leaders:
Andy Zeng
