Project Name: iFLYTEK AI Headquarters Campus (Phase I)

Location: Hefei, China

Design Team: line+ studio

Area: 84,627 m²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Arch-Exist, AOGVISION, line+

Feature：

Project - Chinese architecture firm line+ studio has completed the first phase of iFLYTEK's AI headquarters in Hefei, creating a sprawling 84,627-square-metre campus that reimagines the traditional corporate headquarters as a public-facing urban park integrated with sustainable design features.

The headquarters, which will eventually span 400,000 square metres and house 15,000 employees, introduces the innovative concept of a "supercell" - an organizational approach inspired by biological systems and artificial intelligence networks. This concept allows the campus to function as a self-growing, interconnected organism that can adapt and expand within the urban fabric.

"The project challenges conventional notions of corporate architecture by prioritizing public accessibility and environmental integration," explained line+ studio. "We first planned a city park, and only then constructed the headquarters within it."

The studio's design emphasizes vertical development paired with horizontal connectivity, featuring a series of towers linked by elevated walkways and public spaces. The buildings are characterized by continuous terraces and rooftop tracks that blur the boundary between office environment and parkland, creating what the architects call a "headquarters in the park, park within the headquarters" experience.

A distinguishing feature of the complex is its sophisticated facade system, which employs a dual approach: the exterior presents a tech-forward aesthetic using anodized aluminum panels and colored glazed glass, while the interior interfaces with small-scale ecological gardens. The facade's horizontal linear language is complemented by an innovative BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics) system that incorporates solar panels seamlessly into the architectural design.

Inside, the workspace design moves away from traditional office layouts, organizing functions into four distinct modules: work, meetings, recharge, and communication. The interior spaces include a "shared theater" in the northern atrium and a "cohabitation square" in the southern atrium, fostering a campus-like atmosphere that promotes collaboration and creativity.

The project's sustainable features extend beyond its solar integration, with the design incorporating extensive green spaces, natural ventilation systems, and energy-efficient materials. The campus serves multiple roles: as a public urban park, a creative workplace, and what line+ describes as a "spiritual home" for iFLYTEK employees.

By combining technological innovation with ecological sensitivity and public accessibility, line+ studio has created a new paradigm for corporate architecture that responds to both environmental concerns and changing workplace dynamics in the tech sector.

Design Team - Founded in late 2017, gad · line+ studio emerged as a pioneering force in Hangzhou's architectural landscape under the visionary leadership of Meng Fanhao and Zhu Peidong. This innovative design atelier has rapidly established itself as a "creative factory" at the forefront of market-driven architectural solutions.

At its core, line+ studio embodies the concept of boundary transcendence. The "line" in their name represents the architectural foundation, while the "+" signifies their commitment to cross-disciplinary innovation. This unique approach allows the firm to seamlessly integrate planning, architecture, interiors, product design, operations, and landscape architecture.

Led by Meng Fanhao, a recipient of the prestigious 2021 RIBA International Prize, line+ studio has garnered numerous accolades for its cutting-edge designs. The firm's portfolio showcases a diverse range of projects, from urban public spaces to high-end residential developments and rural revitalization initiatives.

line+ studio's design philosophy is rooted in critical thinking and contextual sensitivity. By balancing urban sophistication with rural engagement, and local cultural research with commercial viability, the firm has positioned itself as a crucial mediator between cultural heritage and contemporary market demands.

With a growing presence in Hangzhou and Shanghai, line+ studio continues to push the envelope of traditional practice. Their commitment to spatial quality through professional expertise and value creation through innovation solidifies their position as a transformative force in the architectural industry.