South Korea's tallest building, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, has opened. The Northeast Asia Trade Tower stands at 308 meters and is the focal point of the Songdo International Business District, a new 310-hectare city built on reclaimed land.
The skyscraper's structure was finished in 2011, Dezeen reports, but the interior was only recently completed due to financial difficulties during the recession. On the glass exterior, a series of triangular planes divide the surface as it tapers up towards the top. Inside the 68-story building are apartments, offices and a hotel.
The Songdo development began less than a decade ago and was supposed to be completed this year; however, the £20 billion city is now slated for completion in 2018. A green oasis modeled on Central Park and the 487-meter Incheon Tower are some of the other projects slated for Songdo.
The tower includes high-performance glazing and external shading devices help to reduce heat build-up on the interior. Low-flow plumbing fixtures, grey-water recycling, and rainwater collection have also been implemented to reduce water consumption.
Check out photos of the tower (photos: H.G. Esch, courtesy of Kohn Pedersen Fox):
Related Stories
Architects | Mar 1, 2017
Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta receive the 2017 Pritzker Architecture Prize
2017 marks the first time that three architects together are honored with the prize.
Architects | Feb 27, 2017
AIA selects four individuals to receive the 2017 Associates Award
The AIA Associates Award is given to individual Associate AIA members to recognize outstanding leaders and creative thinkers for significant contributions to their communities and the architecture profession.
Architects | Feb 24, 2017
14 architects selected to receive the 2017 Young Architects Award
Young Architects are defined as professionals who have been licensed 10 years or fewer regardless of their age.
Architects | Feb 20, 2017
Take an architecture class taught by Frank Gehry
The starchitect will be teaching a course for MasterClass, an online education platform.
Architects | Feb 16, 2017
16 design trends from Gensler’s 2017 Design Forecast
Gensler examines how design will shape the human experience in the next year and beyond.
Architects | Feb 14, 2017
NCARB streamlines path to certification for architects
Architects without a degree from an accredited program can pursue NCARB certification through a new path.
Designers | Feb 1, 2017
Netflix design documentary series to feature Bjarke Ingels
Abstract: The Art of Design will delve into the artistic processes of various influential designers.
Architects | Jan 27, 2017
The Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, honored with the 2017 Collaborative Achievement Award
Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA and the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship receive the 2017 Collaborative Acievement Award.
Architects | Jan 26, 2017
Alan Greenberger, FAIA, honored with the 2017 AIA Thomas Jefferson Award
The award honors significant contributions to public architecture.
Architects | Jan 24, 2017
Politicians use architectural renderings in bid to sell Chicago’s Thompson Center
The renderings are meant to show the potential of the site located in the heart of the Chicago Loop.
