World-famous skyscrapers: the Shanghai Tower – Desire to touch the sky
China also has its “luxury giant”: the Shanghai Tower standing on the Phu-tung peninsula.
This building is owned by the Chinese state and it was created based on the design of the American Gensler Company. They designed the world’s 2nd tallest building of 632 metres and 128 floors. The building is not only a luxurious achievement of technological progress but it also reflects the unique design of its creators. It is neat with its shape, it attracts the attention of passers-by and of the whole world.
Technological creations
If the skyscraper were only a tall building, it would not be enough. Each construction of these dimensions brings innovative technological approaches and there is no difference in regard to the Shanghai Tower. Several luxurious ecological elements were utilised during the construction. The Shanghai Tower has a unique double-faced insulating façade, which cools the interior in summer and heats up in the winter. Rainwater is also used in an economic manner. It is drained into the underground reservoirs and subsequently used as necessary. The building is protected against blackout – i.e. a total power failure, by sophisticated openings at the top of the building through which the air runs hidden turbines. They can thereby produce 350,000 kWh per year. Normally they also act as a backup power source.
Luxury shape and the Fastest Lift
The sleekness and majesty of the building is emphasised by its cylindrical ground plan. The whole structure consists of nine cylinders acting as separate units. They have their atrium with gardens, visitors’ area, cafes and restaurants. Of course, even leisure activities were not forgotten. The skyscraper hides in its bowels a luxurious presidential suite, a conference centre, a swimming pool, a concert hall, shops for rent and headquarters of companies. The rarity of the building is also a high-speed lift that brings visitors or employees to 119 floors at a speed of 20 m/s, thereby reaching a top in about 55 seconds.
The fact that it is an exceptional building is also confirmed by the fact that the construction in the Chinese conditions lasted from 2008 to 2015, with a “platform of experiences” at the height of 561 metres being put into operation in July 2016.
