kohn pedersen fox associates (KPF) has completed a 400-meter-tall (1,312 ft) commercial office tower in shenzhen’s houhai district. the supertall skyscraper, which is the city’s third tallest building, contains the headquarters of china resources — a state-owned group of companies spanning a wide variety of businesses in hong kong and china. designed to resemble the form of a winter bamboo shoot, the tower features a conical ‘sky hall’ at its crown, offering views of the dramatic spire above.

KPF china resources headquarters
the tower is the third tallest building in shenzhen
image by tim griffith

 

 

the ‘china resources headquarters’ anchors a larger KPF-planned development that comprises retail outlets, residential accommodation, offices, and public space. the brief called for a scheme that would invigorate shenzhen’s urban fabric while providing china resources with a visual icon symbolizing its historic growth and prominent stature. ‘the conical tower design shows a geometric boldness that reflects china resources’ pride in their past and confidence in the future,’ explains KPF president james von klemperer. ‘by marking the skyline, it will be one of the most recognizable buildings of shenzhen, china’s leading technology city.’

KPF china resources headquarters
a conical ‘sky hall’ offers views of the dramatic spire above
image by tim griffith

 

 

the skyscraper features a light yet stable tube and diagrid structural system that is expressed in its tapered, sculptural form. ‘rendered in pre-fabricated column and steel units, the system affords column-free interiors, in turn allowing greater expression of the tower’s radial symmetry and more boutique floorplates as it rises,’ says the design team. the 56 vertical columns converge into 28 columns at the lower and upper sections of the tower, forming a series of entry portals at the tower’s base and merging to a singular point at its peak. ‘at these junctures, faceted, triangular glass panels illuminate at night with a jewel-like brilliance across shenzhen’s waterfront business district,’ explain the architects.

KPF china resources headquarters
the commercial office tower is located in the chinese city’s houhai district
image by tim griffith

KPF china resources headquarters
the supertall structure rises to a total height of 400 meters (1,312 ft)
image by tim griffith

KPF china resources headquarters
a model illustrating the tower’s crown

 

 

project info:

 

location: shenzhen, china
client: china resources
architect: KPF
team: CCDI (LDI)
type: headquarters, masterplan, supertall
size: 210,000 sqm / 2,260,500 sqf
height: 400 m / 1,312 ft