Cloud Valley Hub is a mixed-use scheme comprising meeting rooms, exhibition space, retail, offices and amenities.
Due to the challenging site conditions, the architects raised the meeting rooms and exhibitions spaces off the ground, connected by a ring of circulation around a central courtyard. On the ground floor, retail, restaurants and amenities are arranged as a series of pavilions that populate an urban landscape with gardens and plazas where people can meet and interact.
The architects proposed this arrangement to challenge, in a playful way, typical notions of Chinese object making and use of public space. The distinction between inside and outside is blurred and a multi-levelled landscape of plazas, courtyards and terraces creates different social and circulation spaces where visitors can gather for formal and informal events.
The material expression of the building enhances these differences further: the two lower levels are clad in dark metal profile. Above, the continuous floor to ceiling glazing and silver profile metal suggest a hovering ‘cloud’.
The combination of built form and open space fosters a feeling of community and enhances the user experience.
Bio Established to bring architecture and urban design closer together, Studio Woodroffe Papa is an award-winning architectural and urban design studio with an international perspective and global reach. The studio’s purpose is to re-imagine urban life, to rethink the places it builds for people and to create cities where people and positive cultures thrive.
Without a pre-conceived style, Studio Woodroffe Papa works closely with clients and stakeholders to turn tailor-made solutions into inspirational, built form. Harnessing the knowledge gained from working globally, the practice offers clients
Other prizes • Cloud Valley Hub, BIG SEE Best Commercial Building Award, 2022 • Camley Street Regeneration, First prize, 2021 • Old Dairy, Shortlisted Blueprint Awards, 2020 • Jurong Lake District Masterplan, International Competition, First Prize, 2017 • Antwerp Ring North Segment, International Competition, First Prize, 2017 • Ascent, IDA Gold Award, 2017 • Ascent, BCA Platinum Green Mark Award, 2015 • Bircham Park MSCP, RIBA South-West Awards, Shortlisted, 2015 • The Old Dairy, Housing Design Awards UK, Shortlisted, 2015 • Evolution Gateshead, First Prize, 2011 • Arch Street, UK Housing Design Awards, Shortlisted, 2011 • Old Dairy, NLA Awards Winner, 2011 • Beaumont Quarter, Winner NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Urban Design, 2010 • Runner up, Manser Medal, National House, 2009 • James Voller Way, RIBA Housing of the Year, 2009 • James Voller Way, Midlist RIBA Stirling Awards, 2009 • Beaumont Quarter, Winner NZIA Urban Design Award, 2009 • Ebbsfleet Architectural Framework, First Prize, 2009 • Scotswood Housing Competition, First Prize, 2008 • Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet Masterplan, Shortlisted, LEAF Awards Europe, 2006 • Elephant & Castle, housing competition, First Prize, 2006 • HKUST Campus Building, First Prize, 2006 • Short listed for AM/NAi Award, NL, 2004 • Bergen Waterfront Masterplan, First Prize, 2004 • Schots 1+2, Short listed, Mies van der Rohe Award, 2003 • Schots 1+2, First Prize, Groningen’s Best Building of the Year, 2002 • Grenoble Masterplan, First Prize, Living in the Year 2000, • First Prize, Anglo-Dutch Awards For Enterprise, 2000 • Regeneration Tarling Estate, First Prize, 2000 • UK Young Architects of the Year, Shortlisted, 1999 • Bloembollenhof Vinex Housing Competition, First Prize, 1998 • Europan 4 Housing Competition, Manchester site, First Prize, 1996 • Europan 3 Housing Competition, Groningen site, First Prize, 1994 • National Design Award for Urban Design, Karlsruhe Masterplan, 1993 • International Competition for the Urban Revitalisation of
