Project name: Waterfall Tower - The flow of the music
Location: Dishui Lake Financial Bay in Lingang New Area, Shanghai
Operation Status: In construction
Area: 33,700 sqm
CONCEPT
MMA Projects, an international architecture and design studio, in collaboration with GALA China, presents the Massing and Facade Design project for the Waterfall Tower, an iconic and timeless building, capable of combining functionality and aesthetics, relating to the surrounding architectural context.
The primary inspiration for this project lies in the desire of exploring the harmony of volumes, drawing inspiration from the sinuous flow of a waterfall. The close connection with water, given by the proximity to the picturesque Dishui Lake, has guided every phase of the design.
Just as water gushes forth forcefully and suddenly descends with all its might from the mountains; likewise, the overlapping facades of the Waterfall Tower and its play of vertical elements of varying thicknesses, recall the same vertical movement. While the podium, with its different volumes, recalls the breaking of water on the rocks, which form the base of the riverbed. During the study on the dialogue between the theme of water and the facades, we approached the structure of the strings of a typical Chinese musical instrument, the Lute. The facades of our tower could be treated like a musical instrument whose strings would define the movement of the elements. Hence the parallel with a Lute and the name "the flow of the music," just like the flow of water.
MMA Projects, an international architecture and design studio, in collaboration with GALA China, presents the Massing and Facade Design project for the Waterfall Tower, an iconic and timeless building, capable of combining functionality and aesthetics, relating to the surrounding architectural context.
The primary inspiration for this project lies in the desire of exploring the harmony of volumes, drawing inspiration from the sinuous flow of a waterfall. The close connection with water, given by the proximity to the picturesque Dishui Lake, has guided every phase of the design.
Just as water gushes forth forcefully and suddenly descends with all its might from the mountains; likewise, the overlapping facades of the Waterfall Tower and its play of vertical elements of varying thicknesses, recall the same vertical movement. While the podium, with its different volumes, recalls the breaking of water on the rocks, which form the base of the riverbed. During the study on the dialogue between the theme of water and the facades, we approached the structure of the strings of a typical Chinese musical instrument, the Lute. The facades of our tower could be treated like a musical instrument whose strings would define the movement of the elements. Hence the parallel with a Lute and the name "the flow of the music," just like the flow of water.
APPROACH OF AN ITALIAN STUDIO DESIGNING FOR SHANGHAI
The MMA Projects studio, in its team dedicated to projects designed for the Chinese market, adopts an approach that interfaces with client representatives. Projects are divided into creative phases punctuated by presentations involving the client and keep them updated on the progress of the design. In particular, for the 100m Tower Plot 25-6, the studio provided architectural consulting services.
The MMA Projects studio, in its team dedicated to projects designed for the Chinese market, adopts an approach that interfaces with client representatives. Projects are divided into creative phases punctuated by presentations involving the client and keep them updated on the progress of the design. In particular, for the 100m Tower Plot 25-6, the studio provided architectural consulting services.
CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
Within the Chinese market, it is essential to attribute strong narrative value to each project with a well-defined motivation and meaning.
In the specific case of the 100m Tower Plot 25-6 project, the client's request focuses on two main outcome objectives:
The first is to create an iconic and elegant building characterized by understated sophistication.
The second is to design a structure that harmoniously integrates into an existing design context, maintaining an iconic character that allows for dialogue with the equally significant tower designed by the Libeskind studio.
Within the Chinese market, it is essential to attribute strong narrative value to each project with a well-defined motivation and meaning.
In the specific case of the 100m Tower Plot 25-6 project, the client's request focuses on two main outcome objectives:
The first is to create an iconic and elegant building characterized by understated sophistication.
The second is to design a structure that harmoniously integrates into an existing design context, maintaining an iconic character that allows for dialogue with the equally significant tower designed by the Libeskind studio.
Landscape
URBAN CONTEXT
Around the artificial Dishui Lake in the southern region of the peninsula between the Yangtze and Qiantang rivers, in the Hangzhou Bay, south of Shanghai, lies Lingang New Area, a city with circular urban development divided into concentric circles, where each area has its specific function. The Waterfall Tower was designed by us to be inserted into an area exclusively dedicated to offices and convention centers, called Financial Bay.
Around the artificial Dishui Lake in the southern region of the peninsula between the Yangtze and Qiantang rivers, in the Hangzhou Bay, south of Shanghai, lies Lingang New Area, a city with circular urban development divided into concentric circles, where each area has its specific function. The Waterfall Tower was designed by us to be inserted into an area exclusively dedicated to offices and convention centers, called Financial Bay.
THE TOWER
The predominant stylistic feature of the tower is represented by the coordinated interplay of curves, inspired by the surrounding and influenced by the structure of the building.
The tower consists of 20 above-ground floors, reaching a total height of 100 meters, with an underground floor dedicated to parking.
On the ground floor, along with numerous shops and bars, there is also a double-height lobby and a multifunctional space dedicated to conferences and events, while a restaurant with various outdoor areas overlooks the greenery, integrating with the square below. The remaining floors are exclusively designated for office use.
From a volumetric standpoint, the elements comprising the podium appear to detach from the tower and rotate slightly on themselves, positioning themselves at different levels. The soft shapes of these volumes recall the rounded shape of river stones, created by the flow of water. Meanwhile, a system of concentric curves starting from the podium defines the design of the greenery and the square.
The roof is designed as a cage that harmoniously merges with the diagonal profiles of the tower, offering complete coverage for machinery and accommodation for solar panels. The choice to highlight the "fifth facade" may seem unusual, but it is justified considering that the view from above is the first impression obtained when consulting city maps. The roof louvers follow the inclinations of the tower, contributing to an intriguing visual aspect.
The predominant stylistic feature of the tower is represented by the coordinated interplay of curves, inspired by the surrounding and influenced by the structure of the building.
The tower consists of 20 above-ground floors, reaching a total height of 100 meters, with an underground floor dedicated to parking.
On the ground floor, along with numerous shops and bars, there is also a double-height lobby and a multifunctional space dedicated to conferences and events, while a restaurant with various outdoor areas overlooks the greenery, integrating with the square below. The remaining floors are exclusively designated for office use.
From a volumetric standpoint, the elements comprising the podium appear to detach from the tower and rotate slightly on themselves, positioning themselves at different levels. The soft shapes of these volumes recall the rounded shape of river stones, created by the flow of water. Meanwhile, a system of concentric curves starting from the podium defines the design of the greenery and the square.
The roof is designed as a cage that harmoniously merges with the diagonal profiles of the tower, offering complete coverage for machinery and accommodation for solar panels. The choice to highlight the "fifth facade" may seem unusual, but it is justified considering that the view from above is the first impression obtained when consulting city maps. The roof louvers follow the inclinations of the tower, contributing to an intriguing visual aspect.
Facade view
FACADE
The dynamism of the facade rises from the variation in thickness of the vertical elements, conceived as applied and overlapping sheets that create open spaces for terraces.
The vertical elements, depending on the light, produce different visual effects on the building's outer surface. This characteristic is amplified by the presence of custom luminous elements designed to illuminate the facade during nighttime hours. This dual function is of great importance as it fully embodies the idea of a cascade, evoking a fluid and harmonious movement that gently descends along the structure.
This dual function is of great importance as it fully embodies the idea of a cascade, evoking a smooth and harmonious movement that gently descends along the structure.
The dynamism of the facade rises from the variation in thickness of the vertical elements, conceived as applied and overlapping sheets that create open spaces for terraces.
The vertical elements, depending on the light, produce different visual effects on the building's outer surface. This characteristic is amplified by the presence of custom luminous elements designed to illuminate the facade during nighttime hours. This dual function is of great importance as it fully embodies the idea of a cascade, evoking a fluid and harmonious movement that gently descends along the structure.
This dual function is of great importance as it fully embodies the idea of a cascade, evoking a smooth and harmonious movement that gently descends along the structure.
Canopy
The "canopy" constitutes a majestic entrance element that welcomes visitors. With its six-meter height, the proposed sculptural element is made with an avant-garde material, UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete), known for its exceptional energy efficiency and its ability to be molded into various shapes. This sculptural element not only directs the gaze of visitors towards the entrance but is also crucial for providing overall structural stability.
The "canopy" constitutes a majestic entrance element that welcomes visitors. With its six-meter height, the proposed sculptural element is made with an avant-garde material, UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete), known for its exceptional energy efficiency and its ability to be molded into various shapes. This sculptural element not only directs the gaze of visitors towards the entrance but is also crucial for providing overall structural stability.
Lighting
The vision of "signs" on the facade will be made possible through a detailed study of the lighting typology. The desired details have been achieved using an opaline glass box, with a LED-backlit base and a projector on the top. Some elements are equipped with downward-facing projectors so that the beams of light can illuminate both upwards and downwards, thus creating the desired curvature. For the closure of the terraces, a LED strip has been used to underline the terraces themselves.
The vision of "signs" on the facade will be made possible through a detailed study of the lighting typology. The desired details have been achieved using an opaline glass box, with a LED-backlit base and a projector on the top. Some elements are equipped with downward-facing projectors so that the beams of light can illuminate both upwards and downwards, thus creating the desired curvature. For the closure of the terraces, a LED strip has been used to underline the terraces themselves.
Aerial
Materials
The primary materials employed include aluminum for the facade slats, chosen in warm champagne hues to enhance the facade's dynamic appeal. Ultra-reinforced UHPC concrete, recognized for its exceptional energy performance and adaptability, is utilized for the sculptural element accentuating the double-height entrance.
Glass facades utilize a "Curtain wall system," boasting triple ultra-performing solar shading glasses and custom-made aluminum shading systems, vertical and horizontal mullions with custom-made aluminum vertical shading systems. On the rooftop, a system of vertical white aluminum slats completes the architectural ensemble.
The primary materials employed include aluminum for the facade slats, chosen in warm champagne hues to enhance the facade's dynamic appeal. Ultra-reinforced UHPC concrete, recognized for its exceptional energy performance and adaptability, is utilized for the sculptural element accentuating the double-height entrance.
Glass facades utilize a "Curtain wall system," boasting triple ultra-performing solar shading glasses and custom-made aluminum shading systems, vertical and horizontal mullions with custom-made aluminum vertical shading systems. On the rooftop, a system of vertical white aluminum slats completes the architectural ensemble.
ENERGY SYSTEM
In our work, we primarily focused on designing the facade, paying particular attention to energy aspects. We introduced green elements and glass suitable for solar shading. These elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve a dual function. For example, the vertical slats have been designed to prevent direct penetration of light into the building, thereby helping to reduce the thermal load and overall energy consumption.
In our work, we primarily focused on designing the facade, paying particular attention to energy aspects. We introduced green elements and glass suitable for solar shading. These elements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve a dual function. For example, the vertical slats have been designed to prevent direct penetration of light into the building, thereby helping to reduce the thermal load and overall energy consumption.
