In late 2003 Nortel reached an agreement with the developer of the new Wangjing Technology Park, located at the northern part of Beijing, for a bespoke campus that would become its Head Office and Research & Development Centre in Greater China.  The 55,000m2 site is being developed in two phases; phase 1 will provide 48,000m2 of building area and phase 2 the remaining 32,000m2.  Phase 1 is scheduled for occupation at the end of March, 2006. 

IDA was commissioned by Nortel to carry out the architectural, engineering and landscape design in April 2004, after the masterplan was approved by the authority in the week just before the consultancy commenced. The project was under tremendous pressure to begin construction work in July, 2004, and the consultant team had to complete the first set of construction documents for Detail Design Approval by the authority within 28 days of the appointment.  This was achieved and the Main Contractor was appointed in June 2004.

The campus consists of 5 buildings in phase 1, and 4 further buildings in phase 2.  Building A is the Corporate Head Office, 8 storeys high with a double height Executive Briefing Centre at the Lobby Level.  Building B, C, D and E are low rise, with laboratories at the Lobby Level in Building B, C and E.  Building D at Lobby Level is Staff Canteen, designved to serve the 2,000 staff on campus with indoor and outdoor dining facilities. 

The heart and soul of the project is the Galleria that connects all 5 buildings into a single entity.  The Galleria houses common facilities such as bank ATMs, newsagent, travel agent, print shop, concession coffee shops, and informal meeting areas.  The Galleria is the main street for all the staff to interact socially and for relaxation.  All 5 buildings are accessed from the Galleria, with each entrance lobby being accentuated by a 3-storey high, top-lit landscaped atrium.  The Galleria roof is designed to let in natural north light, and at night it is washed with up-lights to emphasize its loftiness and generous space.

External and internal landscapes are designed to flow through the Galleria, creating a spatial quality that goes beyond the confinement of the building envelope.  A small multi-purpose pavilion is located to the west of the complex.  This building provides recreational facilities as well as staff training facilities for Nortel.