1.5K 
After winning the competition for the construction of a new headquarters for China UnionPay in Shanghai, Hamburg-based architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have been commissioned to design the 150-metre-tall tower on the banks of the Huangpu River, where events for the 2010 Expo were held.
China UnionPay is the largest card payment organization in the world, measured by payment transactions and the number of cards issued. Evidence of the company's regional importance, the complex will boast 90,000 square metres of space split across three volumetric squares. The central highrise is flanked by five-storey buildings that are slightly offset in reference to the spatial constraints of the site. A translucent bridge connects the three volumes on the fourth and fifth floors and simultaneously creates a canopied entrance area.
The articulation of the building volumes respond to the functional elements of the interior program, which will include exhibition areas, business rooms in the lower floors, offices in the main part of the tower, and management areas across the upper levels.
The building's upright supports are integrated into the plane of the facade, allowing for a clean exterior and flexible interiors. The columns converge into four points at the plinth, which permits a transparent design for the main entry point.
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 in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
