Building the Modern Vision for a New China in One World Trade Center

(New York - April 14, 2011) China Center New York unveiled its high-profile interior concept design, “Folding Garden” for its future home at One World Trade Center. Once in place, the vertical Chinese garden folding through 64th to 69th floors provide an extraordinary space for Chinese and US business leaders to build relationships and provide a dramatic showcase for the rise of modern China.

Today’s unveiling is the first step in bringing the abstract concept of a Chinese folding garden into reality in a uniquely urban environment. “We plan to create an architectural masterpiece of world-class standard where the traditional Chinese culture is fully represented and explored,” said Xue Ya, President of China Center. “Its goal is to become an important window presenting a contemporary Chinese image while offering a platform for international business exchange.”

Behind the concept is the vision of China Center Chairman Feng Lun—to build a world-class business environment with an unprecedented design. A team of internationally renowned artists and designers have worked on the project for the last two years and are all very excited about moving the project forward.
“While Chinatowns in all metropolises represent the past version of Chinese culture in the West, we want to create a new iconic environment at One World Trade Center to represent an open-minded and confident China that embraces all values, ” said Feng Lun, a well-known real estate developer in China. “We want people to come here, look at the space, and say ‘Wow!  This is a side of China I haven’t seen’”, he said.

Support for China Center’s bold, folding garden design and modern China showcase was shared by over 70 Chinese business leaders who recently had a sneak peek preview of the concept design.

The concept design is based on a “Folding Garden” concept originally proposed by Zhou Wei, a renowned Chinese artist. China Center Art Director Weng Ling hand-picked the top-ranking Japanese architect Kengo Kuma & Associates to bring the concept to fruition. New York-based architect firm Perkins Eastman will work with Kengo Kuma to implement the design into the space in One World Trade Center
In order to create a truly distinctive experience, the “Folding Garden” idea was reinterpreted by connecting the floors and functions vertically. This is still not a common approach in skyscrapers, not just in New York but also around the world.

“By combining the unique, meandering spatial characteristics of the Chinese garden with several floors of the iconic One World Trade Center, we can arrive at a very special kind of design that is specific to China Center and to New York City, all at once.” said Kuma. “This is a very special opportunity that bridges modern and traditional motifs, architecture and nature, and most importantly the Chinese and American cultures.”

“The China Center Space will boldly combine culture and business,” said Weng Ling, the art director. “It is both aesthetic and functional.”
As a leader in green development, Mr. Feng Lun has pledged to build China Center as LEED platinum space, the highest standard for green interior design as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

China Center New York LLC is the unequivocal platform for China-U.S. business and cultural exchange. In 2009, it became the first corporate tenant for the iconic redeveloped One World Trade Center tower and set to move in 1 WTC in 2014.