While the cities of the west are still characterized by buildings that can be described as needles made of steel and glass, in Asia one is looking for shapes that combine technology and nature. Giant “trees”, for example, which consist of a steel frame and are planted with hanging plants, are popular.
Shenzhen in China has so far been known primarily as a special economic zone. Now they want to treat themselves to a spectacular landmark tower that architecturally enhances the bay of the Qianhaiwan district. The Chinese are not afraid of grand gestures. In the ideas competition for the “New City Center Landmark”, the design of a floating tower by Sou Fujimoto Architects prevailed.
The bar was hung as high as possible. The competition demanded that the building redefine the question of what a “tower” is in the 21st century. And the building should attract attention like the Eiffel Tower once did.
Architecture becomes a statement
The basic question is justified. Towers were once mainly military buildings, the gender towers of Tuscany are a testimony to this era. In the age of electricity and radio waves, the giant transmission towers were born. But transmission towers are no longer technically necessary. So why a tower?
The design by Sou Fujimoto Architects is above all a statement, a huge sculpture and looks like it has sprung from a science fiction film. It is 268 meters high and consists of 99 individual segments. In the upper part, 99 islands connect airily to form a horizontal plateau. Not all 99 segments reach the bottom, most of them hang between the central core and the outer ring. The shape of the tower tapers significantly downwards so that it looks like the platform is floating above the bay. This impression is reinforced by a “waterfall” of Kevlar ropes that anchor the platform to the ground. Presumably these supports are permanently surrounded by water. The top level serves as a viewing platform and is at the same time an exhibition room with enough space for a restaurant and a café.
Simple, hard and solid building materials create a flowing, light and flexible structure. The tower is intended to symbolize the “future of societies in an age of diversity”. Such meaningful buildings are in fashion in China, recently the Danish architecture firm presented a building called “O-Tower. The structure has the shape of an infinity loop.
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