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Pukou District, Nanjing, China | 2016

Architects: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Client: Greenland Group

The new 550-meter super tall, Yangtze Tower, was designed as a central and iconic piece for the new Pukou District in Nanjing, China.

Inspired by the Yangtze River, the tower’s fluid curves extend to the height of the tower, giving the building a distinctive shape. At the base, the softly undulating walls lift up for entrances for the Hotel, Office, and Retail functions.

At the tower’s tip, the walls open up and frame a spectacular landscaped roof terrace. The tower’s fluidity was inspired by the surrounding Yangtze River.

The exterior wall’s continuous glass surface is enriched with a series of softly curved sunshades that work to significantly reduce energy cost and provide added interior comfort benefits. The shading system functions as a light reflector, increasing daylight penetration while reducing the need for artificial lighting. It bounces light back into the building, increasing natural daylight availability, while at the same time blocking solar heat gain and reducing cooling demand.

The design for Yangtze Tower represents a holistic approach toward sustainable design. The building will integrate the best environmental management practices, and will showcase the integration of high-performance parametric design, energy conservation, rainwater management, and water reclamation.

Careful consideration was given to maximizing the comfort of the occupants and minimize the environmental footprint of the building while paying close attention to costs and constructability. The building will be the only high-rise in Nanjing to be water neutral - 100% of water used in the building will be sourced from rainwater, condensate, or treated grey water.