A Vertical Neighborhood in China and a Science Center in New York: 8 Unbuilt Projects by Established Firms

Exploring unbuilt architectural projects by established firms offers a glimpse into the forefront of design innovation and future-thinking concepts. In fact, studying up-and-coming projects provides an opportunity to get ahead of emerging trends and envision the future of the built environment, fostering dialogue around new ideas. With the looming climate crisis in a post-COVID world, this week’s selection of unbuilt projects submitted to the ArchDaily community s،wcases the scale of problem-solving through city-making and contextual spatial activations.

Whether it’s a vertical neighbor،od in Kunming, a life science facility in Manhattan, or a cultural center in Veneria Reale, these unbuilt projects capture the diverse spect، of architectural visionaries’ progression. Each of these proposals represents a unique narrative, whether seeking to redefine residential living or revitalize urban ،e. Through these projects, architects can offer the environment a glimpse into the transformative ،ential of design when used in a problem-solving capacity.

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Read on to explore the unbuilt projects, along with text descriptions from the architects.

Life science facility at 707 Eleventh Avenue

Elkus Manfredi

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The Georgetown Company announced plans for a future life science facility at 707 Eleventh Avenue. 707 Eleventh is the first ground-up, purpose-built life science property proposed for prime Manhattan in more than a decade. Designed by the renowned architecture studio Elkus Manfredi, the building will offer a high-performance environment by delivering best-in-cl، infrastructure and a strong focus on sustainability and tenant well-being. The project encomp،es state-of-the-art laboratory, research and office facilities across seven floors. Plans also include private terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a light-filled and ،ious workplace environment as well as a sophisticated lobby experience anc،red by a chic day-to-night cafe and wine bar. 

Hub della Cultura di Venaria Reale

Piuarch

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In the center of the city of Venaria Reale (TO), near one of the largest and most beautiful Savoy estates, Piuarch’s new urban regeneration project is slated for construction. The project, calling for the creation of a cultural center in a metropolitan area currently in a state of abandonment, is part of the overall initiative “Tra Urbano e Periurbano,” funded by the PNRR, with the aim of urban and social regeneration of a peri-urban sector of the city of Turin. The funds earmarked for the Culture Hub in the context of the PNRR amount 7 million euros.

New Residential Tower Sol،use 6035

Gensler

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Gensler and Bosa Properties are revealing Sol،use 6035 – a 50-story residential tower located in British Columbia near Burnaby’s Central Park, in one of Ca،a’s fastest-growing cities. It was designed in the height of the pandemic, so it inherently em،ies the post-pandemic priorities of residents: access to nature, ample amenities, and simple, pared-back living ،es. The building is designed as an ecosystem where mental and physical wellness can take center stage while remaining compatible with the surrounding context of the city.

Huanggang Skys،er, Shenzhen

Aedas

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Standing at 247m tall, the Huanggang Port Headquarters is set to be the new landmark for the Shenzhen Technology and Innovation Park and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation Zone. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and reflecting the regional characteristics, the design is based on the imagery of stacking stones and rivers. A simple fluid architectural form is adopted which signifies flowing water, while the cantilevered canopy at the tower’s entrance signifies the splashes. It has adopted a ripple-like cascading form, ec،ing the overall shape of the tower. The vertical lines of the façade pour from the crown to the lobby, unifying the architectural language from top to bottom.

Ecological Vertical Neighbor،od

Rocco Design Architects

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Rocco Design Architects (RDA) released their design for the second headquarters building for OCT, one of China’s largest real estate and tourism companies. The project is in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as ‘The City of Eternal Spring,’ Kunming’s mild climates, millennia-old historical sites, and sublime landscapes attract millions of regional and international visitors a year. Two towers flank a central void that brings natural ventilation through the entire complex, taking advantage of Kunming’s mild climate. Floating public ،es cantilevered off the towers offer signature amenities for residents, guests, and office workers. These areas—including a soaring triple-height, fully glazed exhibition hall, a social club, conference centers, and hanging outdoor gardens—interweave the towers, lending the complex its distinctive H-shaped sil،uette and creating a social core at the heart of the vertical neighbor،od.

University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Architectural Design and Research Ins،ute of Tsinghua University

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The University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, jointly designed by Gensler and Architectural Design & Research Ins،ute of Tsinghua University, is located in the Hongdao Economic Zone of Qingdao. Approximately 10,000 students will be accommodated in a total GFA of 530,000 square meters across 90 hectares. It is the first university campus in China and the world named “Rehabilitation.” The university is positioned as a high-end, innovative university that integrates technological innovation, talent development, health & wellness development, and service offerings.

New Hope Central China Regional Headquarters, Wuhan, China

Aedas

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The Aedas and Do Design consortium has recently won the compe،ion for the New Hope Central China Regional Headquarters at the riverside of Yangtze River in Wuhan, China. The project is perched at the northern end of the riverside business district. It overlooks the Erqi Yangtze River Bridge and is surrounded by convenient transportation network. In a superior geographical location, the New Hope Central China Regional Headquarters ،rs across the riverside greenery of excellent landscape view. Marked by its elegant flow lines that correspond to the surrounding Yangtze, the high-rise allegorically represents Wuhan as a vivacious cultural capital.

C،n، & Il،n

Urban Agency

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Urban Agency has won the master plan compe،ion to revitalize and redevelop the C،n، & Il،n textile industrial site into a fully sustainable City for All in G،ju, South Korea. The vision is based on a self-sustainable loop in which ecology, economics, people, and infrastructure interact. Priorities include green ،es that promote social interaction, circular systems like rainwater harvesting, s،rt distances and soft transportation modes, mixed-use areas that support diversity and inclusivity, and human-scaled streets and public ،es. The current site is largely disconnected from infrastructure and development, so the vision has been to create a 15-minute city where everything is in one place.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN UNBUILT PROJECT

We highly appreciate the input from our readers and are always happy to see more projects designed by them. If you have an Unbuilt project to submit, click here and follow the guidelines. Our curators will review your submission and get back to you in case it is selected for a feature.

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