Written by: Saram Maqbool
Posted on: January 03, 2024 | 
| 中文
Shanghai Tower, China's tallest building, from afar
Taking one good look at China’s Shanghai Tower is bound to stop most people in their tracks. This 632-meter-tall glass skyscraper looks incredible with its transparent glass facade and a form that twists and turns as it disappears into the clouds. Shanghai Tower is the country’s tallest building and has become a beacon for sustainable architectural practices. But as it points toward the future of supertall architecture, it also invites us to take a look at how the country got to this point, because the journey China has taken with regard to modern skyscrapers dates back to the pre-Industrial Revolution era.
China's architectural heritage is deeply rooted in the elegance of ancient pagodas. These iconic structures, with their tiered designs and intricate details, served as spiritual landmarks and were the earliest forms of vertical construction in China. While not skyscrapers in the modern sense, pagodas laid the foundation for verticality in Chinese architecture. These pagodas then gave way to the towers of the Forbidden City during the Imperial era. The tall and imposing towers symbolized power and prestige at the time, while also marking a shift toward even taller buildings than before. The idea was to reflect and signify the might of the ruling dynasties, as was the case with most historic empires.
Leifeng Pagoda, an example of China's original supertall buildings
The early 20th century brought foreign influences and the introduction of Western architectural styles to China. Shanghai, a key port city, saw the emergence of early skyscrapers inspired by Art Deco and Beaux-Arts designs. The Park Hotel, completed in 1934, stood as Asia's tallest building for decades, showcasing China's openness to global architectural trends. Designed by British architect László Hudec, the Park Hotel rose 83 meters, boasting a distinctive green copper roof and elegant, symmetrical facades. Even though disconnected from the ancient ideas of power and might, the Park Hotel still became a symbol of grandeur thanks to its central tower and largely solid walls that gave it a rather imposing look.
The Park Hotel
The architectural focus in the region shifted toward communal living spaces after the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949. The danwei, or work unit, became a prevalent form of urban organization, leading to the construction of large residential blocks. Even though these weren’t skyscrapers, the buildings laid the groundwork for the density seen in later urban development. The era of densely populated modern high-rises wasn’t too far away and started being realized in the late 20th century, particularly in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. A boost in global integration and economic growth meant that China could start experimenting with supertall structures. The first of these came in 1996, known as the Shun Hing Square. Standing tall at 384 meters, this building became a symbol of the country’s meteoric rise. To this day, Shun Hing Square is among the most iconic skyscrapers in the country, with its sleek and minimal design that makes it look thinner than it is from a distance. From this point on, there was really no stopping the country from investing heavily in the development of high-rise buildings that defied structural constraints.
Shun Hing Square
In the 21st century, China's skyline became a canvas for architectural innovation. The Beijing National Stadium, more famously known as the Bird’s Nest, and the Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) demonstrated the country's ability to host international events while pushing the boundaries of design and engineering. Dominating the cityscape at a height of 492 meters, the SWFC boasted a distinctive trapezoidal aperture at its peak, earning it the nickname, "the bottle opener." The tower's innovative design was characterized by a sleek, asymmetrical profile that combined elements of modernism with structural ingenuity. The exterior of the building was clad in a shimmering curtain wall of glass and brushed stainless steel, creating a striking interplay of light and reflections. This became truly one of the turning points for supertall buildings in China, which then culminated in even more iconic structures such as the Shanghai Tower.
Inside Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC)
Today, China's skyline continues to evolve with a focus on mega-tall structures, with buildings exceeding 600 meters in height. From the soaring heights of the Shanghai Tower to the futuristic design of the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen, these skyscrapers push the boundaries of engineering and design. While the former is more popular due to its height, the Ping An Finance Center, reaching 599 meters, also impresses with its sleek exterior and innovative structural design. It looks much like a rocket ship or a bullet pointed straight at the skies, perhaps offering a hint as to where the country’s architectural prowess is headed.
The Towers of the Forbidden City
These supertall buildings not only dominate city skylines but also encapsulate China's drive for innovation, economic growth and global prominence. As the country continues to push the limits of vertical architecture, these towering structures stand as beacons of modernity and testaments to China's ascent in the world of supertall buildings. And when one looks back into the country's past and its historic focus on achieving a sense of elevation, whether for religious purposes or political ones, it's easy to understand where this constant drive to become a leader in supertall architecture has come from.
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