Situated at a prominent bend in the Kunyu River near the Yuanyuantan Park, the new West Diaoyutai Tower was designed to feature a dramatic cantilevered prow and a perforated metal skin. The 59,000-square-meter building was designed to house a luxury hotel and apartments. more

The block of the tower is carved away at its lower southeast corner, creating a dramatic void and roof terrace from which to view the surrounding river landscape. The exterior skin of the tower is made of perforated metal panels, except at the cutaway corner, where the "cut" surfaces are clad in a glass curtain wall to emphasize the building's unique geometry. The base of the building is clad in grass and mixed planting, supported by a concealed frame. The base can be thought of as a garden, through which the building's various water elements percolate.

Entering the base of the building, residents and visitors encounter a curvilinear triple-height atrium. The atrium ceiling is perforated with circular openings that reveal the bottom of the fish pond located on the roof terrace above. Sunlight filters through the water and into the atrium below. The interaction of these light and water elements in the atrium creates an ever-changing environment. back

Credits

SCHEDULE
Competition 1st Prize, 2004
SIZE
59,000 sq. meters
CLIENT
Beijing Xieshuiyuan Real Estate Company, Ltd.
TEAM
Lead Designer: Bernard Tschumi. Key Personnel: Kim Starr, Joel Rutten, Yang Yang, Adam Dayem, Irene Cheng back

Program: Housing