The Shanghai Tower, standing at 632 meters with 128 stories, is a landmark skyscraper in the Lujiazui finance and trade zone of Shanghai, China. Completed in 2015 and opened to the public in 2016, it is the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world, accommodating up to 16,000 people. This marvel of engineering and architecture not only redefines the skyline of Shanghai but also sets new standards for sustainability and technological innovation.
Ownership and Features:
Owned by the Shanghai city government, the tower boasts the world’s highest observation deck and the fastest elevators, reaching speeds of 73.8 km/h. The structure comprises nine cylindrical buildings stacked atop one another, enclosed by an inner glass façade. Between the inner and outer glass layers, which twist 120° as they rise, are nine indoor zones featuring public spaces with panoramic city views, gardens, cafes, and shops.
Unique Attractions:
The tower includes the world’s highest restaurant and one of the highest swimming pools, located in the 258-room Four Seasons hotel on the 84th floor, 393 meters above ground. As the tallest of three mega-skyscrapers in Shanghai's financial district, it stands alongside the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Centre. Each of the nine indoor zones offers breathtaking views and unique amenities, creating a vertical city within the skyscraper.
Impact and Significance:
The Shanghai Tower symbolizes China’s confidence as a global superpower. It provides living, working, and recreational facilities for up to 16,000 people, attracting foreign investment and tourism, thereby boosting Shanghai's economy. The tower's presence in the financial district underscores Shanghai's status as a leading global financial hub and a center for international business.
Sustainable Engineering:
Engineers designed the Shanghai Tower as one of the most sustainable tall buildings globally. Its second transparent glass skin is crucial for its green design, conserving energy by regulating the temperature between the inner and outer layers. The glass outer façade’s 120° twist reduces wind impact by 24%, minimizing the need for construction materials. The tower uses 25% less structural steel than a conventional design, making it lighter and suitable for soft ground.
Environmental Initiatives:
The Shanghai Tower has been awarded the LEED Platinum certificate and the China Green Building Three-Star rating, the highest possible. This efficiency is partly due to the second skin, which acts as an insulating agent, reducing energy use for heating and cooling. Over 25,000 panels with double-glass windows form a curtain wall that reduces the carbon footprint by 34,000 tons annually. Smart control systems monitor electric consumption, saving $556,000 each year in energy costs. Additionally, 270 wind turbines near the top provide energy for exterior lighting, while a 2,130 kW natural gas-fired cogeneration system generates electricity and heating in the lower areas. The building also features 21 gardens that help regenerate air and use rainwater harvested on-site for irrigation.
Earthquake Resistance:
Located on a seismic belt with a shallow water table near the Huangpu River, the Shanghai Tower required robust underpinning. Engineers installed 980 foundation piles to a depth of 85 meters and poured concrete to anchor the 850,000-ton structure. As a result, the tower can withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale, ensuring its resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Construction and Engineering:
The construction of the Shanghai Tower began in 2008, employing innovative techniques to manage the challenges posed by its height and location. The tower's foundation required extensive engineering due to the soft ground conditions.
The double-layered glass façade not only enhances the building's aesthetic appeal but also contributes to its structural integrity and energy efficiency. The spiral design, inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, reduces wind loads and increases stability.
Visiting the Shanghai Tower:
In 2017, the Shanghai Tower opened to the public, allowing visitors to access floors 118 and 119, where the observation deck offers incredible panoramic views of the city. Visiting hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with entrance costing around €28.86. The observation deck provides an unparalleled vantage point to witness the bustling cityscape and the dynamic energy of Shanghai.
General Information:
The Shanghai Tower covers a total of 576,000 m², with 410,000 m² above ground and 166,000 m² below ground. The construction required 60,000 m³ of concrete, poured over 63 hours using 450 mixer trucks and eight pumping stations. It is the first high-rise with a cloud computing system serving up to 20,000 people. The Mitsubishi Electric elevators, at 18 m/s, are the world’s fastest, and its observation deck at 562 meters is the highest.
Architects and Engineers:
Designed by the Shanghai office of the American architectural firm Gensler, the Shanghai Tower's structural engineering was directed by Thornton Tomasetti. The tower's design incorporates a cylindrical form with a spiral exterior curtain wall inspired by the John Hancock Tower in Chicago and traditional Chinese architecture. The project integrated 47 technologies to enhance sustainability, resulting in a 54% reduction in energy consumption despite a 5% increase in project cost.
Spiral Design and Sustainability:
The twisting design, defined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), makes the tower more aerodynamic and efficient. The project integrates 47 technologies to enhance sustainability, resulting in a 54% reduction in energy consumption despite a 5% increase in project cost. The combination of these technologies and design features has established the Shanghai Tower as a global leader in sustainable architecture.
The Shanghai Tower exemplifies advanced engineering, sustainable design, and architectural innovation. It is not only a symbol of China’s growing economic power but also a model for future sustainable skyscraper designs. Its innovative features and sustainable practices make it a beacon of modern architecture and a testament to human ingenuity.