Established at a prominent area that follows in the curve of Kunyu River near the Yuanyuantan Park, the new West Diaoyutai Tower features a dramatic cantilevered prow and a perforated metal skin. The approximately 59,000 m² creation of Bernard Tschumi will accomodate a luxury hotel and apartments, which are expected to attract Chinese and international business people.

It is hard to not to compare it with Rem Koolhaas’s CCTV. Resemble to soldered connections of a computer plate, a cut out happens in the block of the tower diagonally at its lower southeast corner, whereby a dramatic opening is revealed and in result the void gives free view to the Kunyu River’s surrounding landscape via roof terrace.

Contrary to this green section, beneath the building are two perforated metal-clad panel exterior skin that will be legging a roof terrace and garden for visitors, not mentioned at the cutaway corner, where the ‘cut’ surfaces are clad in a glass curtain wall to emphasize the building’s unique geometry. The base of the building is clad in grass and mixed planting, supported by a concealed frame. The base can be thought of as a garden, with a fish pond integrated inside.

Entering the base of the building, residents and visitors encounter a curvilinear triple-height atrium. The atrium ceiling is perforated with circular openings that reveal the bottom of the fish pond, located on the roof terrace above. Sunlight filters through the water and into the atrium below, creating evocative natural colors. The interaction of these light and water elements in the atrium creates an ever-changing environment, thanks to the optic technology which provides all metal panels with perforation formed circular windows, contrast to the angular building geometry.

The construction jobs should be completed within 2008.

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