Marshall Strabala is the chief architect who worked on the Shanghai Tower. (Photo : AFP Photo)
Soon to rise in Pudong financial district is the world’s second tallest building, the Shanghai Tower. Aside from its formidable height (the tower is planned to rise 2,086 feet above the city), the building has one unique feature: a 120-degree twist.
According to Yahoo News, the Shanghai Tower will have a softened triangular outer skin embracing the circular of the glass and steel tower.
"This twist is an iconic symbol of looking forward for the Chinese people," said Grant Uhlir, principal and practice area leader of Gensler, the American architecture firm responsible for the design of the building. "It's been referred to as a strand of DNA. It's also been referred to a place where the ground connects with the sky."
The building, which broke ground in 2008, is viewed by the Shanghai Tower Construction and Development Co. as a symbol of China's bright future.
Despite its futuristic and modern facade, the building, with its planned golden canopy and white stone structure dubbed the "River Wall," will still feature Chinese design elements. Chief architect Marshall Strabala, who once worked at Gensler, also placed an emphasis on the importance of uniqueness when it comes to tall structures.
"When you do these iconic, super tall buildings, it can't be a copy of something else. It has to be unique," he said.
Once finished, the Shanghai Tower will stand at 632 meters, second tallest to the 828-meter Burj Khalifa Dubai. The building will also house the world's fastest elevators, said to travel 18 meters per second. The second highest hotel in the world, on the other hand, will be located in the Shanghai Tower's 84th to 110th floors. The double skin feature of the tower will provide insulation and reduce wind stress.
With its highly desirable address, the Shanghai Tower is expected to draw tenants without fail. As for the "curse" of tall buildings, Strabala believes economic strife won't be a hurdle for the structure.
"This building will fill up because people will want to be here," he said.
The developers have yet to confirm as to when the Shanghai Tower will open.
