Designing connectivity: Shanghai International Financial Center

The main design challenge for Shanghai International Financial Center was to simultaneously satisfy three different clients by creating unified complex: a vertical campus, to create a sense of community, and a walkway that connects all the buildings together, so the user feels part of a unique experience while allowing each client to maintain autonomy and identity

Creating connectivity

FGP Atelier architects work on this project with the primary goal of creating three volumes that would serve the needs of the three financial clients who would be based within the Shanghai International Financial Center. The result is three identical volumes connected by a fourth volume located above the main entrance lobbies of the three buildings. By moving the mezzanine above these lobbies and avoiding the use of a podium, they improved connectivity between the street level and a large public plaza

Maximizing green space

The volume connecting the three towers also covers the outer, central plaza and part of the large circular fountain that serves as the centerpiece of the public space. There is a considerable amount of green space here, including two formal gardens in the northwest and northeast corners of the site. Green space is also brought into the area surrounding the central fountain. This also serves as a determining component in the strong axiality of the site that organizes the location of the three building lobbies that are located along the cardinal directions and radiate from this central point

Functional design features

Each tower is basically defined by the central lobby that runs through the building from one end to the other. This space is repeated on the upper floors with a large central void rising to the 26th level. As each tower rises, additional multi-level volumes are introduced above the volume connecting the three towers, providing balance to the central void. Each building culminates with a reception desk on the 31st level

Diverse programs and timeless materials

The diverse programs that the towers house include offices, a commercial floor, dining and restaurant halls, conference centers, center for various activities including sports halls with locker rooms, reading room, retired staff activity room, psychological counseling room, clinic, public assistance foundation office, video room, nursery, and exhibition space; there is also a 900-seat theater, a large multifunctional conference room, and reception area. Elegant and timeless materials were chosen to reflect the clients' values

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FGP Atelier

550 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, Stati Uniti