Construction is under way on the Greenland Tower Chengdu, a 468-meter-high crystalline skyscraper in Chengdu, China, designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
When built, it will be the tallest building in southwestern China, surpassing Chengdu's current tallest buildings by more than 200 meters.
The multi-faceted glass tower was inspired by “the unique ice mountain topography around Chengdu,” the firm said. Plans indicate that inset LED lighting on the edges of the faceted glass will give viewers the impression of a shimmering glacier. The tower will thereby act as a light sculpture for the city of Chengdu.
The project is set for completion in 2018. It is part of a larger complex comprised of the main tower, two smaller towers, and a six-story podium. Office, retail, and residential space will all be included in these buildings, according to Next Big Future.
"The architecture and structure marry perfectly," the firm said in a statement. "The design fully considers the structural requirements of supertall buildings in a high seismic zone, using a geometrical plan, a tapered form, and a high-performance damper bracing system to ensure the structure’s stability and efficiency."
Related Stories
| Jul 30, 2014
Restaurants, farmers' markets high on urban dwellers' wish list: Sasaki report
Urban dwellers love food-related resources, public spaces, and historic structures—but really hate traffic, lack of parking, and poor public transportation.
| Jul 30, 2014
Nonresidential building activity on the rise for 2015: AIA Forecast
Semiannual Consensus Construction Forecast predicts 4.9% increase this year, 8% next year, with offices and retail facilities leading the charge.
| Jul 29, 2014
Studio Gang Architects, MAD to design George Lucas' museum in Chicago
Star Wars director George Lucas selected Chicago-based Studio Gang Architects and Beijing firm MAD to design his proposed art museum on Chicago’s lakefront.
| Jul 29, 2014
AECOM's buying spree continues: Deal to acquire Hunt Construction Group in the works
The acquisition comes just two weeks after AECOM's $6 billion deal to acquire rival engineering and construction company URS Corp.
| Jul 29, 2014
MADGI hires David Stuart, AIA, as Studio Director in New York City
Stuart will support the firm's $375 million multifamily residential design studio.
| Jul 29, 2014
Best practices for public-private partnerships: Free AIAI guide
Resource explores P3 best practices, including legislation and procurement methods.
| Jul 29, 2014
Blood center uses architecture to encourage blood donation [slideshow]
Designed by FAAB Architektura, the project's aesthetic was guided by its function. The color scheme, facade panel glossiness, and the irregularly elevated leitmotif were intentionally designed to evoke the "richness" of blood, according to the architects.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction market benefits from improving economy, new technology [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Following years of fairly lackluster demand for commercial property remodeling, reconstruction revenue is improving, according to the 2014 Giants 300 report.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Construction Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Structure Tone, Turner, and Gilbane top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction contractor and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction Sector Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, URS, and Wiss, Janney, Elstner top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest reconstruction engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
