In the Dunedin branch of Queenstown-based firm Architecture Van Brandenburg, a small group of people are busy with the design for the construction of the international headquarters of Chinese fashion powerhouse Marisfrolg Apparel in the city of Shenzen, in Southern China.

This is no mean feat. The complex incorporates five buildings over 120,000m2, comprising a series of interlinking curvilinear forms inspired by forms found in nature.

Construction of the complex, which incorporates fashion design studios, a catwalk production area housed under leaf-like roof forms, a central atrium linking to a boutique hotel, restaurants, club, spa centre and flagship stores, all housed under an over-arching solarium providing shade and creating a micro-climate for the terraced spaces, began in 2009 and is due for completion in 2016.

Chinese firm Jin Su hua Jiang Construction is managing construction, with about 400 contractors on site each day. The ambitious complex will be set in 4.5 hectares of gardens, which will not only surround, but will be on, and in the buildings.

For Kiwi architects Fred and Damien van Brandenberg (a father and son team), constant, daily contact with the consultants and site team is important.

“What we are doing is quite pioneering in terms of the buildability. It is interesting in terms of the concrete construction, and the plasticity of the concrete. The curvilinear forms require huge formwork to pour into, and the geometry requires some of them to be poured continuously - one continuous pour will take in excess of 24 hours to complete.”

While the superstructure is predominantly concrete, it will be clad with materials that have more permanence including brick, stone and broken mosaic.