The world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations, or 大疆创新, “Innovation Without Borders” in Mandarin), has opened its new company headquarters, “DJI Sky City”, to unite its employees. This innovation hub, designed by Foster + Partners, has an architectural structure at the moment unique in its kind and aims to become a landmark in Shenzhen, China – in the top ten UNESCO Cities of Design.

Across the two towers – of 44 and 40 stories – the company’s office, research, and development areas are arranged in volumes cantilevered from central cores by large mega trusses. This is the first use of an asymmetrical suspension steel structure in high-rise towers of this scale and from the distance it seems that the buildings were suspended in the air.

The building also hosts drone flight testing labs over four stories, made possible by the unique V-shaped trusses that that distinguish the two towers against the backdrop of the Shenzhen skyline, giving it a strong identity. The innovative structure reduces also the need for columns, creating uninterrupted working spaces that express “Innovation Without Borders” in architectural terms.