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Beijing's tallest building continues to flaunt its excessive height, as recent photos sent to us by architect Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates highlight the supertall's striking curvature and textured cladding system. The China Zun Tower, also known as the CITIC Tower after its primary tenant, will climb to a height of 528 metres across 108 floors.
Located in Beijing's new 30-hectare central business district, the China Zun Tower will contain the headquarters for CITIC Group and CITIC Bank, plus a contemporary selection of tenant-occupied office space, a business club, and a panorama-providing observation deck. The CITIC branches will occupy more than three quarters of the tower. A CITIC Bookshop will also be contained within the building's seven basement levels.
Its distinctive silhouette, tapering inwards and then bursting outwards, is influenced by the form of a traditional Chinese ritualistic artifact called the zun. Despite the abnormality expressed by its profile, the building's floor plans are deceptively simple: square with rounded corners. The gradual changes in width result in a base that is 78 metres wide, a "waist" measuring 54 metres wide, and a 69-metre-wide crown.
Photos of the enormous construction operation reveal a closer look at the building's structural intricacies, including the massive corner supports and diagonal bracing system that articulate the tower's base. Additionally, the photos of the new landmark show the building's placement in relation to the cantilevered CCTV Headquarters, one of the most recognizable recently built designs in China. Construction of the skyscraper is expected to be complete in 2018.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion or share your photos? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
