Situated on a prominent site in Chengdu, the Sichuan Airlines Center tower has become a glimmering symbol of the city’s urban transformation. With its distinctive, pleated form, the 200-meter-tall tower is a landmark on the skyline of the capital of China’s Sichuan province.

The design engages thoughtfully with the public realm, inviting the life of the street into the site. The tower rises at the center of a spacious, stone-paved plaza, defined by formal rows of street trees, site walls, and stone bench seating. The building’s glass curtain wall extends down to the plaza, enclosing each column and defining a continuous arcade. This five-meter-deep arcade extends the generous open space of the plaza into the building itself. Lined with retail, this area leads to the main entrance to the lobby, at the southwest corner of the building. The building’s metal and glass skin transforms from facade to column enclosures, and from columns into ceiling vaults, creating a dynamic spatial experience. An additional entry is located on the western side, adjacent to the vehicular drop-off area and facing the elevator core.

The tower is designed for flexibility, with its exterior mullions spaced to providing many possibilities for configuring perimeter offices and conference rooms. The building culminates in a two-story executive club level with a continuous folded ring of skylights, which form a perimeter “light box.” This design feature not only illuminates the perimeter offices, but also creates an expressive crown that marks the tower’s presence on the Chengdu city skyline. With a range of sustainable design features, the project is targeting LEED® Gold certification.