The firm created the project after winning an international design competition in 2018, which allowed them to design the new South HeXi Yuzui Financial District and Tower, and have now released the final plans for the 860,000sqm development. It will include a 500-meter-tall tower, one of the tallest in Nanjing, that will feature a 360° open-air observatory at the top and will enhance Nanjing’s already iconic skyline. It is set to achieve the LEED-Gold certification when completed in 2025, making it one of the tallest buildings to receive it.
We are thrilled to announce that the project is moving forward with Jinmao Group. South HeXi Yuzui will be the foundation of a new world-class waterfront business district. This new global destination will be a vibrant live-work community that will be at the center of culture, nature, entertainment, and technology. The tower’s concept draws its inspiration from the patterns contained in the flowing waters of the nearby Yangtze River and expresses the beauty and fluidity of today’s lifestyles and culture in China.
Adrian Smith, Design Partner, FAIAThe development will allow networks to access the riverfront, multiple public transportation options and cultural, natural and technological opportunities, resulting in an increase of the value of the location. The users are encouraged to increase interaction and experience the district as a live-work environment or as a visitor to one of the many public parts and art centres. As well as the 500-meter tower, it includes a 100-metre office tower, a 155-metre office tower, a 220-metre office tower, a 350-metre office tower and an 86-meter residential tower.
The design incorporates multiple green spaces enhancing the tower and the surrounding developments, enhancing the tactile sensations of the landscaping elements and promoting a sense of well-being, improving the air quality and micro-climates.
The sustainable design of the tower was shaped through a variety of studies and models. Performance is the catalyst for the design of the form, expression, and functionality of the buildings. The towers are designed and positioned to take advantage of the winds, the sun, and even the rain in Nanjing.
Robert Forest, Management Partner, FAIAThe tower will integrate rainwater that harvests into the sky gardens targeting onsite water management at more than 100% of rainfall. It will be collected using sponge city concepts such as sub-soil collection, permeable paving and recessed green space. The collected water will be drained into tanks below ground level where it will be treated and stored for reuse, reducing a total of 55% of indoor water use.
The tower is designed to seek an overall energy reduction through a combination of energy strategies such as reducing the cooling load, installing a high-performance façade, and through reducing heating, lighting and plug loads. The instalment of a Low-E curtain-wall system with carefully designed fins that work with the buildings geometry will efficiently reduce solar heat gain and provide effective protection to the indoor environment. The building’s design and features that increase sustainability are what predict it to achieve a LEED-Gold certification.
