Interior Design Inspired by the Grand Scenery of Great Rivers:
Jinan Ping An Financial Center

Located at the heart of the commercial business district (CBD) in Lixia District, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China, this 62-story, 360-meter-tall skyscraper with a total floor area of 226,000 square meters was conceived as a landmark symbolizing Shandong’s economic dynamism. The CBD features five super high-rise buildings symbolizing “mountains, springs, lakes, rivers, and cities.”　 This projectーdeveloped by Ping An Real Estateーembodys the “river” theme. The site lies east of Ribbon Park, the CBD's primary public space, and is adjacent to the major district thoroughfare, offering a prime location that combines lush green scenery with excellent transportation connectivity. Nikken Sekkei was responsible for the interior design of the Grand Lobby, Sky Lobby, and standard office floors.

Design Concept and Details
Based on the overarching river theme, the design incorporates the majestic scenery of the Yellow River, which flows north of Jinan City, into the interior. The river presents three distinctive expressions: the clear tranquility of its upper reaches, the meandering and turbulent currents of its middle reaches, and the vast expanses of its lower reaches. The design scope is organized into three zones, each structured around one of these narratives.

The Grand Lobby expresses the expansive grandeur of the lower reaches, creating a magnificent space to welcome visitors. Warm-toned marble adorns the walls, evoking a sense of sedimentary layering and the imposing presence of rock. Dark-colored floors and ceilings provide restraint that accentuates the impact of the walls.

The standard floors reflect the meandering energy and dynamism of the middle reaches, designed to invigorate occupants. Warm-toned marble articulated with varied patterning, conveys the force of flowing water. The 34th floor Sky Lobby affords panoramic views of Jinan City, and adopts the theme of clear serenity of the upper reaches, offering a refuge from the urban bustle. Curved stainless steel panels with mirror and hairline finishes capture the sky, producing changing expressions throughout the day.

Outlook Through the Project
By designing the interiors in alignment with the building's symbolic river theme, the project achieves a seamless integration of exterior and interior spaces was. Incorporating the varied landscapes of the Yellow River into the spaces and reflecting Jinan's cultural background, the building is poised to become a landmark business center that conveys a sense of regional character and unity for its users.

Project Details:

Project name: Jinan Ping An Financial Center Interior Design
Purpose: Tenant office, commercial facility
Location: Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
Site area: 16,502.00㎡
Total floor area: 226,000 m² (total) = 155,000 m² (office) / 4,100 m² (area designed by Nikken Sekkei)
Number of floors: 62 floors above ground, four floors below ground
Eave height/max height: 360 ｍ
Main structure: RC
Completion: April 2024

Credits:

Client name: Ping An Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Interior Design (Office Common Areas): Nikken Sekkei Ltd
Main scope: Interior concept design, interior development design supervision, design supervision
Interior Fit out Contractor: The First Company of China Eighth Engineering Bureau Ltd., Shenzhen Building Decoration (Group) Co., Ltd., JIANFENG CONSTRUCTION GROUP (SHARE）CO., LTD.
Photo credit 1: RELIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY