LOCATION
Shanghai, China
ARCHITECT
Pelli Clark Pelli Architects
ARCHITECT OF RECORD
East China Architectural Design & Research Institute,
P&T International Inc.
DEVELOPER
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.
BUILDING TYPE
Office, Hospitality
STATUS
Built
HEIGHT
48F, 50F
Shanghai IFC is one of the most significant developments in the Pudong New Area, China’s most important financial and commercial center. It consists of three mixed use towers, a shopping mall and a public plaza which acts as the central element of Pudong’s skyline. The towers share a common architectural language. Starting with elegant, rectilinear forms clad in a vertically-grained glass-and-steel curtain wall, the design team sculpted the towers by slicing off corners and edges, creating crystal-like towers that gesture toward one another, and producing a single composition from two buildings.
ALT was able to develop the façade system by adopting a fully-unitized system for towers 1 and 2. Both towers are made up of double-glazed glass with low-e coating. Furthermore, the hotel façade is also made up of a fully unitized system with a combination of stone cladding. ALT carefully studies and provides a practical solution for integrating lighting behind the spandrel glass without compromising the system functionality allowing maintenance access. These unique façade features create a uniform translucent effect wrapping the entire building. Designed by Pelli Clark Pelli Architects with ALT working as the façade consultant, Shanghai IFC symbolizes China’s remarkable commercial growth being home to a multitude of international businesses.
