"No more difficulties after OPPO", NorthGlass 3D multi-curved glass helps phenomenal buildings
Located in Shenzhen, OPPO’s Global Headquarters was designed by the internationally renowned Zaha Hadid Architects. It is widely regarded as one of the most complex buildings in China. Comprising four interconnected towers with a total floor area of 240,000 square meters and a maximum height of 200m, this cutting-edge development demanded an unprecedented level of technical prowess. As a key curtain wall glass supplier, NorthGlass took on the critical role of transforming this visionary design into reality.
Reflecting a fluid, curvilinear design language, the building presents a strikingly futuristic silhouette. Its core structure was ingeniously repositioned to the exterior, maximizing interior space while imposing extraordinary demands on curtain wall fabrication and installation.
OPPO’s Global Headquarters features approximately 70,000 square meters of glass in total, including nearly 14,000 curved panels. Of these, around 9,000 are exceptionally challenging free form, convex&concave bent, saddle-shaped pieces—plus a spherical rooftop structure. Single-curved panels can span up to 5.4m in arc length, while the double-curved varieties reach up to 6m, with the tightest radius of 1m. These stringent precision requirements set a new benchmark for complexity within the industry.
To address these challenges, NorthGlass harnessed its advanced research and development capabilities, implementing a comprehensive solution that encompassed custom equipment design and process optimization. From 2020 to 2024, NorthGlass and our client collaborated on multiple full-scale 1:1 VMU (Visual Mock-Up) tests, refining technical strategies until they met the project’s rigorous performance standards. The resulting glass panels were celebrated for their impeccable appearance, superior tempering quality, and outstanding dimensional accuracy.
NorthGlass assembled its top technical experts and invested in new bending, tempering, lamination, and insulating equipment to ensure the project’s success—ultimately pushing the boundaries of traditional fabrication methods. The achievement stands as a significant milestone for double-curved glass curtain wall construction and sets a pioneering standard for the industry at large.
Slated for completion in 2025, OPPO’s Global Headquarters is poised to redefine the skyline of Shenzhen Bay, offering a bold vision of architecture’s future. Drawing inspiration from this landmark endeavor, NorthGlass will continue advancing research and development, driving transformation in the curtain wall glass sector through excellence in craftsmanship and engineering, and contributing its expertise to more world-class construction projects.
