Iconic Architecture

Li Chung (Sandi) Pei AIA, Partner in Charge

This design represents the timeless modernity that is the hallmark of our firm and we believe its crisp, geometric form will stand out as an iconic gateway for the Bank of China and Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

We conceived of this building as a pair of slender towers that are the focal point of the grand boulevard approach which will frame views to the central lake at the heart of the Free Trade Zone and the ocean beyond. Situated on the only island site in the lake, two symmetrical towers stand adjacent to each other, separated by a taut vertical void but bound by a common podium. On this podium is an elevated plaza that serves as a dramatic drop off for visitors to the towers with overlook views of the surrounding lake and Free Trade Zone. This iconic pair of building will serve as the symbolic gateway for the prosperous economic development of the FTZ, China and the world beyond the horizon.

Visitors approach the building via a long gently sloping arc ramp that takes them from the grand boulevard entrance, across the channel and onto the island where they rise up to the top of the retail podium to enter the towers or the banking hall that is the central space of the complex. Below the podium is a premium retail complex that is integrated into the landscape and forms the base on which the two towers rise. The towers themselves contain Class A office space and a branded 5 star hotel complex at the top of the northern tower.

The exterior skin of the tower will be a sleek all glass enclosure which will clad the building in the most energy efficient and technologically advanced glazing available, providing the latest in thermal insulation and solar heat gain protection. The positioning and shapes of the towers and podium are designed to minimize wind flow turbulence around the site while maximizing views to the surrounding areas.

A project of this magnitude is a testament to the continued importance of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone to China and the Bank’s commitment to the greater economy. We believe this opportunity to develop a world class hotel and office tower marks yet another milestone in the exceptional growth this area has experienced as one of China’s most important developments.

Heritage, Evolution, and Invention

A Case Study: Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong

Toh Tsun Lim AIA, Principal in Charge

This building represents an important evolution of iconic design elements from some of the Bank of China’s heralded headquarters constructed in its most prominent capital cities. The rigorous geometries and clear expression of structure that have become the Bank’s signature expression are the hallmarks of the timeless, modern designs that the Pei firms have developed for the Bank over the last 40 years. In this case, we believe the latest refinements, necessitated by the requirements of 21st century office towers, will create an instantly recognizable tower and memorable gateway for the Bank of China at the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The exterior expression of the iconic structural X bracing developed originally for the Bank of China Hong Kong has evolved into a slimmer version that reflects the particular needs of this project and the evolution of modern office operations. The demand for increased floor-to-floor heights, larger windows, and more stringent energy conservation requirements have led us to develop a cladding system that utilizes the most sustainable and technologically advanced glazing available while providing the latest in thermal insulation and solar heat gain protection without sacrificing the largest possible glass area for unparalleled views.

The intent of this project was not to simply recreate the exterior structural expression used in the Hong Kong Tower, but to adjust and to further refine the design to suit the needs of this particular site. While the Bank of China Hong Kong was the definitive model of an integrated structure and architecture, the Shanghai BOC site requires a different attitude to the cladding and structural expression. The open site, surrounded by water and the unique island location offers unlimited sightlines and views around the building complex. While we sought the efficiency of the Xbrace framed tower we did not want the structure to prohibit the openness of the floor plans or the façade. Hence, we sought to minimize the bracing profile and changed the structure to a simpler lateral brace frame which reduces the structural member sizes and eliminates the need for corner mega columns. The thinner profile structure allows for the largest full height windows to be used on the office tower floors and the absence of corner mega columns offers unobstructed views to the most desirable executive offices and conference rooms.

Contrary to the Bank of China Beijing headquarters design where the atrium structural cladding is expressed as a beveled protrusion from the façade the Shanghai tower design is notably subdued by recessing the metal panel cladding with a “V” shaped indentation. Whereas the headquarters structure was built up to heighten awareness of the bracing members and to create deep shadows, the BOC Shanghai design seeks to minimize the surface of the structure so that the exterior glass wall appears more sheer, taut, and monolithic. The indentation in the cladding also serves to make the structure appear slimmer in profile.

For the overall massing, we conceived of this project as a pair of elegant, geometric towers that become the focal point of the grand boulevard approach and are positioned to frame views to the central lake at the heart of the Free Trade Zone and the ocean beyond. Situated on a generous island site the two symmetrical towers stand adjacent to each other, separated by a slender void but bound by a common podium. On this podium is an elevated entry plaza that serves as a dramatic drop off for visitors to the towers with overlook views of the surrounding lake and Free Trade zone. This iconic pair of buildings will serve as the symbolic gateway for the prosperous economic development of the FTZ, China, and the world beyond the horizon.

Visitors approach the building via a long gently sloping arc ramp that greets them from the grand boulevard entrance, across a broad channel bridge and onto the island where they rise up to the top of the retail podium to enter the tower lobbies that are the central space of the development. Beneath the sloped podium is a premium retail complex that forms the base from which the two towers rise containing Class A office space and a branded 5-star hotel at the top of the northern tower. The podium is surrounded by generous parkland and pedestrian pathways designed as an inviting public amenity for passive and active recreation.

A project of this magnitude is a testament to the continued importance of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone to China and the Bank’s commitment to the greater economy. We believe this opportunity to develop a world class hotel and office tower marks yet another milestone in the exceptional growth this area has experienced as one of China’s most important developments.

Layers of Material – Tower Lobbies

The iconic verticality of the tower design continues to the interior entrance lobby where a 9 meter tall ceiling is lined with a series of lay lights that evenly lights the entire lobby like a clear open sky. Lime stone and granite constitute the major materials for floors and columns but are interspersed with softer wood panels along the tower core which give warmth, richness, and tactility to the vast lobby space. The layering of the wood panels and stone walls is accentuated by bands of light that offset the different materials and creates a transition from this large main lobby space to the more intimately scaled elevator lobbies.

Retail Atrium

The atrium is the heart of the retail space. Two floors of retail spaces are vertically connected in the atrium. All the circulations and retail shops are arranged around the atrium so that it provides a sense of orientation to the visitors. The ample amount of natural light comes through the skylight during the daytime, and the custom lighting rods under each skylight become supplementary lighting sources during the nighttime.

Sky Atrium on the 34th floor

This special floor provides spectacular views of its surroundings with 7 story glass atrium enclosed by a high-tech complex structure. The atrium is the apex of the two exterior pyramids that form the iconic arch silhouette of the twin towers and this triangular sky atrium serves as an observation deck and multi-purpose venue for various events in the south tower. Additionally, the remainder of the floor beyond utilizes a grand arcade that invites visitors to retail shops and a large multi-function conference facility.

Credits and Data