Living and Commuting: Qianhai Talents’ Apartments by Foster + Partners

The winning design by Foster + Partners for the Qianhai Talents’ Apartments conceptualizes a residential project in Shenzhen that is expressly directed at the demographic situation of the local rental market. In this context, the “talents” are people who lead an intense, work-centred lifestyle and generally live alone or far from their families, yet want a sense of community.

With these circumstances in mind, Foster + Partners have presented a new type of commuter apartment to the heart of the financial district in Qianhai. Communal spaces within the complex make it easier to meet people and convey an intimate feeling of home, says Luke Fox, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners. A kitchenette in each apartment sees to immediate needs, while the remaining areas have been grouped as communal kitchens to be shared by twelve living units respectively.

The Skygardens are home to the clubhouse, which features wellness and spa facilities, as well as a public gathering space. The modular building method has sets of two shear walls enclosing every two living units, making it possible to create flexible residential combinations.