Aedas Wins Competition for Xuhui Binjan Media City 188S-G-1 Tower in Shanghai

Warped skyscrapers keep trending: global architecture firm Aedas announces its recent competition win in Shanghai – the Xuhui Binjian Media City 188S-G-1 Tower and Podium.

Find renderings and some information about the project below.

Project Description from the Architects:

The tower will be located in one of the blocks within a nine-block development in which the world renowned DreamWorks Animation will occupy several sites.

The tower has a very dynamic and unique shape.  It begins with an extruded rectangular plan. Going upward, the west wall is gradually warped to accommodate the subway setback that cuts off the corner of the otherwise square project site; and the north wall is warped to the east to acquire a desired view of DreamWorks sites and other neighbouring blocks.

When designing the façade glazing pattern, Aedas was inspired by the three color pixels that a media display panel comprises. By utilising groups of three glass panels and randomly angling them in one of four directions, the faceted window pattern will reflects the light like a diamond, mimicking the shimmering quality of a media screen. 

Curtain wall details were then developed to accommodate small differences in glass sizes and the four different aluminum mullion angles to minimise costs and fabrication time.

The tower, independent from the podium, meets the ground to allow circulation around its base.  The podium platform will serve as a large public green space with several delicate glass boxes floating above with retail, restaurant and café programmes.

Flying above the glass boxes is a large warped surface canopy whose form is intended as a horizontal counterpart to the vertical warped surface of the tower.  The canopy will serve functionally as a covered outdoor space for public events and open circulation.

The tower and podium are preliminarily designed to achieve a LEED gold rating.