ZHENGZHOU, CHINA-Brininstool, Kerwin and Lynch, an architect firm based in Chicago, is one of two finalists to design a $700 million mixed-use complex that will go along a high-speed railroad station. From eight companies involved, the decision for developer Greenland Group is now between BKL and German firm Gerken, Marg and Partners.

The project is known as Zhengzhou Integrated Transport Hub West Plaza H, and will consist of six million square feet of office, hotel, commercial and parking, says Tom Kerwin. Formerly with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Kerwin created BKL earlier this year with David Brininstool and Brad Lynch.

Kerwin says the company’s design for this mixed-use project consists of two sets of paired towers connected by a series of sky bridges. Each pair of towers includes one 75-story tower at about 1,000 feet in height, and one 38-story tower at about half that height. The plan also provides a large entry plaza and drop off.

While there’s not a lot of construction activity locally, Kerwin says some other countries such as China are building “at a good clip.” He says though China is trying to pull back the reins on its massive growth, there’s still a strong market for new projects there. “There are projects that have been fully funded, or in the works, that will continue to go on for several years, especially along this high-speed rail line. This project is adjacent to a major hub, and the hubs are spurring intense private development.” The city is one of the main central capitals of China, and is the seat of Henan Province, which has 100 million people.

Kerwin says he thinks his company has a good chance of winning the design contract, and the decision is expected in the next two-to-three weeks. “Having said that, it is China…it will be a decision that is up to several stakeholders, and it could drag out,” he tells GlobeSt.com. Kerwin has experience in Asia, having been responsible for the three-million-square-foot, mixed-use Greenland Financial Center in Nanjing, China and the 11-million-square-foot Rockwell Center in Manila, Philippines.

Though there are projects in foreign locales, Kerwin says the Chicago-based company is trying to stay lean to ride out the economic downturn. “While we’re very positive about our chances, we’re also being smart about expenditures and cash flow. It’s time to be smart and not overextend, so we can be healthy when things turn around. Locally, we’re doing some multifamily, and institutional work, but it has been pretty dry,” he says.