Shenzhen, China

Landmark Tower

RTA_OFFICE, Jaime Parramon&associats, RTA-Office (Real Time Architecture)

We translate the necessity to make a reflection on how the architecture can act when its socio-economic-cultural surroundings work in real time. To work in real time means to diminish the response-time between the orders and the execution of these said orders. Every process that surrounds us already work in real time. The computer’s response-time to the stimuli is critical. A processing system in real time is that where the time interval for response between the start of a movement and the response to it approaches zero.

The reference element witness of a certain period. The place is Shenzhen and the historic moment to which it belongs is a synthesis of everything that occurs in this period and in this concrete place.

Globally, we live in a time which energy is absolutely essential for the well-being of the world-wide population. But it is limited. It is the moment of limitless energies; solar energies, windmill energies, etc. It is only now in the beginning of the century that man has been able to reflect upon and develop these technologies.

Locally, Shenzhen represents the birth of the new China, and the place of technological development. It defines the age of image and communication.

If the Eiffel tower was a sample of the industrial architecture of the last century, with time it has become a testimony of that period. Now, this Landmark Tower proposes to be the testimony of the beginning of this century. Testimony of a certain period and place.

Note that we include the concept of illumination in all the landmark tower’s options. It will be treated as a sculpture where various images are to be projected upon, making it a singular and iconic object.

The entrance floor’s low-case ceiling is a condensed introduction preceding the contrasted vertiginous altitude of the central light well ahead. From this space one can either visit the main hall, or go directly to the 10th floor where a ramp begins its descent around the central hall. The tourist information office can be found along this ramp where one can discover the different activities and attractions of the Happy Harbour Complex.

The middle levels of the tower are mainly for exhibitions on solar energy and the importance of images in the contemporary society. There are also office spaces and meeting rooms.

The higher levels host a series of restaurant, each floor containing a different design, theme and feel.

Europaconcorsi Beta

Landmark Tower