EID Architecture - Shimao Fuzhou Tower
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Shimao Fuzhou Tower

EID Architecture

Mixed Use  /  Future
EID Architecture
Located at a prominent riverfront site in Fuzhou, Shimao North Riverfront Tower will become a dramatic centerpiece of a burgeoning new business district within the city. The design of Shimao North Riverfront Tower explores sensible approaches to supertall building today. In contrast to many form-driven towers, Shimao Fuzhou Tower aims to integrate the architectural concept with structure optimization, whilst creating an iconic and futuristic landmark with remarkable efficiency and contextual sensibility.

Soaring into the sky at 518 meters in height, with total building area around 437,200 square meters, the Shimao Fuzhou Tower consists of office spaces, service apartment, Conrad Hotel and an observation deck at upper portion of the towering shaft. A 7-level podium comprises of retail, culture venues and hotel amenities such as museum, ball room and conference center. It provides direct access to subway station at two below grade levels. The roof terrace features a large amphitheater-like space. This site is further delineated into a sequence of event places, ranging from sunken plaza, sculpture garden and landscaped gathering place for casual encounter and recreational activities. It provides a pedestrian friendly and permeable urban interface, anchoring a rich and multi-layered public realm experiences with an urban gesture.

A key feature of the tower design is the introduction of two intertwining and twisting volumes, gently tapering towards the top, creating a dynamic and futuristic sculptural form. The tower’s elegant tapered form is inspired by natural surroundings of the site, such as the rolling hill topography and flowing watercourse. It also melds a contemporary aesthetic inspired by the traditional Chinese landscape paintings and artifacts. A transformation of the curvilinear organic envelope is understood through the nature of its relationship with its direct neighborhood. While the overall silhouette of tower remains unique and restrained within the city’s skyline, the façade becomes more ambitious and dynamic in the middle and bottom portions of its massing. A highly efficient floor plan configuration is achieved by limiting the twisting moves as surface manipulation.

Collaborating with structural engineers from Arup, an innovative structure solution was achieved through outrigger trusses coupled with columns of mega-structure system. Working with the twisting envelope, this optimized structural system is engineered to remove the diagonal frames typically associated with the mega-structure. It provides maximum structural efficiency and minimizing the interference to the views by the diagonals. The organic and curvilinear form of the façade is approximated by two dimensional flat panels through parametric design. The substantial amount of white metal panels on the façade contributes to energy performance of the building and reduces the light pollutions caused by glass curtain walls. Other sustainable strategies incorporated into the design include photo-voltaic panels, water harvesting system, recycled building materials and external shading panels.

As one of the tallest building currently under development in China, the Shimao Fuzhou Tower demonstrates a holistic approach for designing tall buildings, integrating architecture design with structural optimization, along with cultural and environmental sensitivity. It will act as a catalyst in transforming the North Riverfront district into a vibrant urban center.

Credits

 Fuzhou
 China
 Shimao Group
 05/2018
 437200 mq
 EID Architecture
 Design Principal: Ping Jiang, AIA
 Structure Engineer: Ove Arup
 MEP Engineer: WSP
 Rendering: SAN, DZI

Curriculum

EID Architecture is an emerging design practice for architecture and urbanism. With studios in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, EID-Arch is led by Founding Principal Ping Jiang, AIA, who established the firm in 2015. Striving to provide intelligent and creative design solutions for architecture and urban environment, EID-Arch is founded on the belief that design can transform life, and is deeply committed to design excellence, innovation and sustainability.

In contrast to some local established design firms which typically constrain their practices in small scales and limited typologies, EID-Arch aims to address the ever-changing urban conditions in China and beyond, confronting the challenges of complex urban realities with an impressive portfolio of projects across typologies and scales, such as high-density urban development, urban regeneration, along with civic, cultural and institutional projects.

http://www.eid-arch.com/projec...


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