Urban Symbiosis

Mix Use Towers for Extended Play Lab

Urban Symbiosis is a mixed use supertall development above the 7 Train station in New York City, integrating condos, serviced apartments, and offices. Celebrating the great underground, the subway entrance is placed at the center, offering natural light and 24/7 public access. The design optimizes energy loads by combining office and residential programs, reducing grid pressure. Unlike traditional vertical stacking, a horizontal split forms two towers, creating shared public spaces with amenities like restaurants, co-working areas, and gyms for constant interaction.

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Urban Symbiosis by Xiyao Wang

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Mix Use Towers by Xiyao Wang

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Xiyao Wang Urban Symbiosis

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Unique Properties

Urban Symbiosis reimagines the traditional tower by horizontally splitting residential and office spaces, forming two interconnected towers. This innovative layout smooths energy demand by balancing daytime and nighttime usage, reducing grid pressure. A central subway entrance celebrates public access, while extensive shared amenities foster community interaction. The sunken garden at street level enhances urban experience, creating seamless connections with the High Line.

Tags

highrise building, mix use, residential, office, mass timber, public transit

Production Technology

The design employed a mix of urban planning and architectural analysis. Advanced parametric tools were used to study the relationship between public access, energy efficiency, and user flow. Vertical stacking was replaced with a horizontal division of programs, creating integrated spaces. High-performance materials and all-electric systems were chosen to ensure sustainability, while shared amenities were carefully planned to enhance social interaction and community-building.

Design Challenge

The greatest challenge was achieving a balance between urban connectivity and energy efficiency. Ensuring 24-hour public access while maintaining the privacy of residential spaces required a complex design process. The horizontal split of programs presented structural and logistical difficulties, as did integrating shared public amenities without disrupting the functional core. Balancing public engagement with sustainability and energy performance was a key obstacle.

Project Duration

The ideal was first conceived in 2017, and carried out in 2024

Operation Flow

Urban Symbiosis optimizes energy use by balancing day-and-night occupancy of residential and office spaces, reducing strain on the power grid. The design's split tower layout creates more public interaction zones, like shared amenities, between residential and office functions. The central subway entrance and sunken garden promote 24-hour accessibility. This blend of private and public space boosts community engagement, making it perform better than conventional vertical designs.

Research

Research focused on balancing mixed-use program demands in high-density areas. Data was collected on energy consumption patterns and spatial usage in residential and office towers. Parametric modeling tools informed the horizontal split design, optimizing building efficiency and interaction. The resulting insights revealed that the design could improve energy loads, reduce grid pressure, and enhance public-private space integration, contributing to a sustainable and socially engaged urban development.

Inspiration

The inspiration for the project stemmed from the symbiosis between residential and office programs, aiming to optimize energy usage by aligning their differing time demands. Drawing from urban connectivity principles, the project integrates public spaces with private development, influenced by the dynamic interaction between work and home life. Research on mixed-use high-rise buildings shaped its energy efficiency and public access approach.

Image Credits

Xiyao Wang

Project Overview

Urban Symbiosis Mix Use Towers has been a Golden winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Gold A' Design Award is granted to designs that demonstrate a high level of innovation and a significant impact on their intended audience. Recognized as a major achievement by the A' Design Awards, these designs are characterized by their visionary approach and the exceptional skill of their creators. Winners of the Gold A' Design Award are noted for their ability to push the envelope in art, science, design, and technology, delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. These designs serve as benchmarks for excellence, encouraging further innovation and inspiring future generations of designers.

Golden Recognition

Xiyao Wang was recognized with the coveted Golden A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Urban Symbiosis Mix Use Towers.

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