China World Trade Tower, designed by SOM, is an 81-storey, mixed-use building containing office, meeting space, restaurants, and the China World Summit Wing hotel, which currently stands as Beijing’s tallest structure. It also marks the completion of the third and most recent phase of the China World Trade Center development. The opening comes in connection with the 20th Anniversary of the China World Trade Center, which originally opened on 30 August 1990.
In addition to the tower, the China World Trade Tower development includes a four-storey above-grade expansion to the underground China World Mall, a grand ballroom and retail podium with rooftop Pine garden, and landscaped water-garden. The open spaces and courts incorporated into the building help in enlivening the streetscape and provide a pedestrian, civic setting for the China World Trade Center. The tower’s thinning columnar form reflects the high performance and rational culture of present-day Beijing. The seamless integration with the surrounding areas seeks to return to a walkable, urban fabric that encompassed traditional Beijing.
The tower connects the district centre on the ground and in the sky, building a more cohesive district centre, while blending seamlessly with the rest of the Beijing skyline.
Taking its place among some of the tallest structures in the world, the 330m-tall tower’s frame structure with outrigger and belt trusses is the result of a high level of analysis and testing for Beijing’s seismic zone. Redundant systems, areas of refuge, supplemental and widen egress, and an evacuation helipad addresses issues of tall building safety. The LEED-Gold registered project symbolises a comprehensive energy and conservation strategy for the building.
The tower’s crystalline walls are layered with fritted glass and metal fins that serve as vertical sunshades and maximise day-lighting for the interior of the building. LED lights are integrated on the exterior of the structure, which, when combined with the undulating glass walls, results in a glistening quality to the tower in the Beijing daylight and a remarkable glow when illuminated at night.
The China World Summit Wing, a Shangri-La hotel, at the top of the tower is the highest point in Beijing. The 278 guestrooms are accessed by a sky-lobby at the 64th floor. The public hotel elements such as the lobby lounge, restaurants, bars, spa, pool, and function rooms are placed at the top levels of the tower to enjoy expansive views of the city. SOM continues to work in partnership with the China World Trade Co. Ltd. to develop the CWTC plan and is active in Beijing’s planning and architectural development.
