In Shanghai's Lujiazui District, shortly after the opening of the 492-meter (1,614 feet) Shanghai World Financial Center, the first foundations of the super-tall skyscraper 'Shanghai Center' were driven into the ground. Shanghai Center will be 632 meters (2,073 feet) tall with 121 floors. It is hoped to be the tallest building in China on it completion in 2014.
The Shanghai Center will be located in the Z3 block of central Lujiazui. With an overall height set at 632 meters and the main structure at 580 meters (1,903 feet), it is at present the tallest skyscraper being planned in China. The total floor area is 576,000 square meters (142 acres) including an underground floor area of 380,000 square meters (94 acres) and the green ratio of the building is 33 percent.
Ss scheduled, the underground portion of the Shanghai Center has already been capped during the 2010 Shanghai Expo. By 2012, the building structure will be capped with some parts operational. The whole project will be completed in 2014. After completion, the Shanghai Center Building will form one corner of a 'triangle' of super-tall skyscrapers - along with the Jinmao Tower and the World Financial Center - and become a new landmark of Shanghai.
The modeling of the Shanghai Center indicates the building will look different from different angles. The building's façade has two layers. The outer layer spirals as it rises and has an asymmetrical folding design. The building perfectly exemplifies the aesthetic spiraling design. When completed, the Shanghai Center will become the tallest building with a double-layer façade. Its shape, the quality of the materials used and the asymmetrical design can reduce the wind load by 24%, effectively dampening the impact of wind on the building. This design breakthrough was achieved through modeling and wind-tunnel testing. It not only achieves an optimal balance between the building's structure and its exterior, but also saves construction costs.
It is claimed that the rate of the environmental compliance of the interior environment of the Shanghai Center Building is expected to be 100%. The comprehensive energy-conservation rate will be higher than 60%, and recyclable material usage rate in excess of 10%. The Shanghai Center will not become an enclosed concrete and cement structure that consumes more and more energy and resources. It will not bring pressure to the surrounding environment and city traffic, nor cause negative psychological and physical effects to the workers inside the building. The vertical space created by the double-layer façade has an independent climate, which is able to improve the air quality of the building, reduce the 'chimney effect' and provide fresh air indoors. The ample interior public space fully demonstrates the concept of environment protection and energy conservation. It achieves highly efficient resource utilization for the building and reduces the impact of the building to the environment. The ultimate goal is to protect the surrounding natural ecological environment, improve the urban environment and achieve the architectural goal of constructing a healthy indoor environment.
Shanghai Center Building is positioned on five main areas: 24-hour premium offices that meet international standards; 5-star super hotel and support facilities; speciality-themed businesses; tourist and cultural recreation and entertainment areas; and conference facilities.
Premium Hotel: An international premium-hotel management company will be brought in to provide prestigious clients with personalized service and an experience of the accommodation office environments.
Bringing in the financial services first: The Shanghai Center aims at increasing the number of trading levels for financial organizations, and satisfying the differentiated office needs of various financial service industries, like banking, insurance, securities and funds, as well as headquarters of multinational companies.
Nine vertical garden spaces: The Shanghai Center is made up of nine columnar structures stacked together, providing nice vertical spaces. The 'sky gardens', with ceilings scores of meters high, not only provide places for relaxation, but give permeability to the building.
The wind-power generators are hidden on the roof: The rainwater collection system on top of the observation deck and public activity areas can provide clean water for internal use. At the same time, 54 wind-power generators will be installed on top of the roof to take advantages of the high winds. They will provide the building with 540,000 KW of green power.
World's highest open observation deck: The top level will feature the world's highest open-style observation deck and room for cultural activities. The observation deck will have three levels to provide tourists and citizens with an ultimate visual experience of the city.
Connected to Subway Route 14 and the other two skyscrapers, the building will have two levels for commercial activities and three levels for parking. According to the developer, the underground space underneath Huayuan Shiqiao Road and Dongtai Road will be fully developed to connect the Shanghai Center with the Jinmao Building and the World Financial Center, as well as the planned Subway Route 14.
The Shanghai Center will be a 'green' skyscraper. Currently, all major skyscrapers in the world have adapted 'green' energy-conservation technologies. The Shanghai Center is striving to achieve a new record.
Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 15, 20, 37, 40, 45, 57, 76, 93, 94, 113, 315, 321, 323, 327, 330, 824, 830, 838, 921, 927, 939 or Pudong Airport Shuttle Bus and get off at Jing'an Temple stop; Take Bus No. 57 or 311 and get off at Tongren Road stop; Take Bus No. 21, 315, 921 or 939 and get off at West Beijing Road Changde Road stop; Take Bus No. 20, 24 or 37 and get off at West Nanjing Road North Shaanxi Road stop;
B. Take Subway Line 2 or 7 and get off at Jing'an Temple Station.
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