A beacon from the ground up

The 75-story tower design continues SOM’s history of merging function and form. It updates the classic columnar skyscraper with elegant proportions that reflect the stacking of various uses inside: offices, residences, and a hotel.

The ground floor lobby is enclosed in clear glass and illuminated from within, giving the appearance of a lantern. The space extends 25 meters high and gives the building an unmistakable presence on Jingbin Road. Within the lobby, three floors are suspended from the roof by hanging columns—a design that accentuates the dramatic impact of this lofty and luminous space.

Reflecting its surroundings

The north and south facades of the tower transition from a simple glass skin to a woven texture toward the tap, which animates the facade by mirroring its surroundings in unexpected ways. The upper and lower surfaces of the woven curtain wall reflect the colors of the sky and city, evoking the glimmering Ou River. The east and west facades are composed of vertical steel fins that improve the thermal performance of the building by regulating heat gain, while reflecting light across the glass curtain wall and accentuating the structure’s verticality.

The tower culminates in a permeable crown, described as the “Eye of Ou River.” Its sloping parapet completes the harmonious composition, balancing the tower’s proportions while funneling wind away from the roof deck. The crown also allows for the creation of two distinct outdoor rooms at the north and south sides with unrivaled views of the river, rolling hills, and city.