Location: Tianjin, China.

Architect: SOM – Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

The Tianjin CTF Finance Centre is a 530-meter-tall skyscraper located in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area in China. The design uses undulating curves to express three programmatic elements while presenting a bold monolithic expression on the skyline. The tower will house office space, luxury serviced apartments, and a hotel. By stacking reducing floor plates, the tower tapers dramatically to minimize the surface area exposed to wind, sun, and moisture. The façade subtly denotes the integration of the three distinct programs within a singular smooth object. The floor plate geometry enables unique interior fit-outs and customization options for occupants. The building’s aerodynamic shape greatly reduces vortex shedding by “confusing the wind” and disrupting the opportunity for any resonating wind forces and loads on the structure. The curving megacolumns increase the structure’s response to seismic concerns and are integral to both the gravity and lateral systems. The façade reinforces the curvature of the tower form and creates a shimmering texture over the building’s surface. The crystalline-like curtain wall presents a bold expression of a comprehensive, integrated design on the Tianjin skyline.

Photo credit: Seth Powers.