Construction of the top floor of SOM-designed Pearl River Tower is now complete. In 2005, SOM presented plans for a new headquarters tower in Guangzhou that would incorporate the latest sustainable technology and engineering know-how in an attempt to create the world’s most energy efficient high-rise structure.
The 2.3 million square feet tower incorporates the latest sustainable technology and engineering advancements. Due to the unique shape of the building, as well as the wind and seismic loads imposed on the tower, the design integrates structural systems, in both steel and reinforced concrete. Integrated wind turbines are one of the structural innovations of this high-rise building. These turbines, which are fed from funnel-like openings in the façade, are supported on floor slabs and are laterally braced against the floor above.
A series of other sustainable design and engineering elements, including solar panels, double skin curtain wall, chilled ceiling system, under floor ventilation air, and daylight harvesting, all contribute to the building’s energy efficiency. While many of these sustainable attributes have been incorporated individually into skyscrapers around the world, the Pearl River Tower design represents the first time that they are used collectively.
Pearl River Tower is scheduled for completion by late 2010.
