A drone company’s HQ that behaves like a vertical campus—workplace as stacked urbanism.
Building in Xili, Nanshan, Shenzhen.
Featured in Norman Foster's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.
Visitor Guide
Treat it like a skyline object: step back until you can see the full silhouette and any atrium cuts—up close you’ll only read ‘office,’ from distance you’ll read ‘system.’
A public street-level viewpoint in Nanshan with a long lens at late afternoon; aim for a three-quarter angle to show any voids/bridges rather than a flat elevation.
Typically not open to casual visitors (it’s a corporate headquarters). If there’s a public showroom or ground-floor retail component, that’s your best legal way in—but assume exterior-only unless you have an invitation. Free alternative: exterior photography and nearby public realm viewpoints.
Foster’s office campuses often hide a ‘microclimate’ agenda: big atria and bridges used not just for drama, but to pull daylight deep and create internal neighborhoods.
20–40 minutes
Design & Structure
Designed as a high-density ‘campus in section’: stacked floors organized around atria/voids to promote visibility, daylight, and internal connectivity. Digital design is used for facade rationalization, daylight simulation, and coordination of long-span atrium bridges.
Glass and metal facade systems tuned for Shenzhen’s climate; the architecture relies on transparency gradients and shading to keep large interior volumes usable.
Large atria and bridge-like connections demand careful long-span engineering and drift control; the structural story is maintaining comfort (vibration, sway) while keeping spaces open.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed DJI Sky City?+
DJI Sky City was designed by Norman Foster. It is located in Xili Subdistrict, People's Republic of China.
Where is DJI Sky City located?+
DJI Sky City is located in Xili Subdistrict, People's Republic of China. Its coordinates are 22.5804°, 113.9380°.
Can I visit DJI Sky City?+
DJI Sky City is a real building in Xili Subdistrict that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.