Shanghai Tower:

Ezékias Stanislas Boulandi
7 min readJul 3, 2024

--

An Architectural Masterpiece

INTRODUCTION

The majestic and bold Shanghai Tower stands proudly in the Lujiazui district of Shanghai. This iconic tower holds two prestigious titles: it is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world. Its strategic location in the heart of the Chinese metropolis makes it a symbol of modernity and progress.

DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
Imagine yourself inside this dizzying tower. Each floor, like a graceful dancer, rotates slightly in relation to the previous one. This upward spiral is not only aesthetic, it has a functional purpose. The twisting of each floor reduces wind resistance, improving the stability of the tower in the face of the violent winds that sweep through Shanghai. It’s as if the Shanghai Tower is dancing with the elements, defying gravity and architectural conventions.

But that's not all. The tower is divided into nine distinct areas, each telling a different story. Imagine yourself strolling through these spaces:

  • Ultra-Modern Offices: The lower floors house cutting-edge offices. Bright spaces, panoramic views and cutting-edge technologies create an inspiring work environment for the companies that reside there.
  • Luxury Shopping: The middle levels are a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. From high fashion boutiques to glittering jewelry stores, the Shanghai Tower offers a unique vertical shopping experience.
  • Leisure Areas: Climb even higher, and you’ll discover oases of relaxation. Hanging gardens, stylish cafes and gyms provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

And then there’s that LEED Platinum certification. Imagine the engineers and architects pushing the limits to make this tower as sustainable as possible. Solar panels capture energy from the sun, water recovery systems minimize waste, and ecological materials have been carefully chosen. The Shanghai Tower is a hymn to sustainability, a building that cares about the future of our planet as much as its own design.

Every corner of this tower tells a story, every curve is an invitation to explore. The Shanghai Tower is not just a skyscraper, it is an architectural symphony that resonates in the heart of Shanghai. 🏙️🌟

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Let’s dive into the technical details:

The Dizzying Height

Imagine yourself standing at the top of this colossal tower. The Shanghai Tower rises majestically to 632 meters, as if it were touching the sky itself. Each of its 128 floors is a step towards infinity, an invitation to contemplate the city from a new angle.

The Observation Deck: A Window on the Universe

On the 121st floor, the observation deck welcomes you. The doors open, and there, before you, lies the whole of Shanghai. The skyscrapers seem like miniature toys, the streets teem like urban veins. You breathe deeply, absorbing this breathtaking panoramic view. It is a moment when time stops, where the horizon is revealed in all its splendor.

The Lightning Ascension

The elevators at the Shanghai Tower are more than just a means of transportation. They are portals to the stars. It has 101 elevators, including 80 passenger elevators and 21 service elevators. Passenger elevators are divided into four groups:

  • Express Elevators: They connect the ground floor to the 125th floor at an impressive speed of 20.5 meters per second.
  • Area elevators: These serve floors 1 to 125, allowing occupants to move to different parts of the building.
  • Service Elevators: Used to transport goods and maintenance personnel, they keep the building running smoothly.
  • Emergency Elevators: These elevators are designed for emergency situations and are equipped with special safety systems. to you.

At 20.5 meters per second, you reach heights in the blink of an eye. Your stomach flirts with weightlessness, and you wonder if you’re still on Earth. These elevators are a technological feat, a dance between speed and safety.

Every detail of the Shanghai Tower is a story in itself. Each figure, each curve, each moment spent contemplating the city from above is a unique experience. So, get on board, let yourself be carried away, and discover the magic of this tower that touches the stars. 🏙️✨

CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLETION

Let’s dive into the history of the Shanghai Tower, where each date is a fascinating chapter:

In November 2008, the first blows of the pickaxe resonated in the ground of Shanghai. Engineers, workers and dreamers gathered around what would become a symbol of modern China. The challenges are immense: how to build a 632 meter tower that dances with the wind and resists earthquakes?

In August 2013, the structure reached its peak. The last steel girders are installed, and the Shanghai Tower stands proudly in the sky. The architects smile, the workers applaud, and the city holds its breath. It’s a moment where boldness and technology come together, where steel and glass merge to create a vertical work of art.

And then, in February 2015, the doors opened. The public flocks, the curious and the enthusiasts. The observation deck becomes a privileged viewpoint over Shanghai. High-speed elevators transport visitors to the stars, and everyone wonders: “How did they do it? How does this tower meet the sky?”

The Shanghai Tower is not just a building. It is a saga, an epic of courage, creativity and determination. She is the silent witness of these key dates, and she continues to write her story in the sky of Shanghai. 🏙️✨

VISIT EXPERIENCE

Let’s dive into the experience of visiting the Shanghai Tower, where each floor is a window into the soul of Shanghai:

Imagine yourself inside the elevator, the glass walls enveloping you. In 55 seconds you rise from the ground to the 118th floor. The doors open, and there, before you, lies the whole of Shanghai. You are in the heart of the metropolis, at the crossroads of winds and dreams.

Observation Deck (Levels 118 and 119): Panoramic View

You walk across the glass floor, your footsteps echoing softly. At an altitude of 546 meters, the skyscrapers seem like miniature toys. The Huangpu River winds like a silver ribbon, and the streets teem with life. You spot the Oriental Pearl, the Jinmao Tower, and the World Financial Center. It’s an urban fresco that unfolds beneath your feet, a symphony of lights and movements.

Top of Shanghai (Level 121): Touch the Stars

But wait, there’s more. Go even higher, to the 121st floor. You are 552 meters above the ground, almost within reach of the stars. This observation deck is the highest in the world, just 3 meters from the legendary Burj Khalifa terrace. You breathe deeply, absorbing the dizzying view. You’re on top of the world, and anything seems possible.

So, don’t miss this experience. Let yourself be carried away by the heights, by the reflections of the sun on the glass, by the magic of Shanghai stretching out at your feet.

IMPACT AND RECOGNITION

Let’s dive into the history of the Shanghai Tower, where each steel and each glass tells an urban saga:

Imagine yourself in Shanghai a few years ago. The cityscape was already impressive, with its skyscrapers soaring into the sky. And then, the Shanghai Tower appeared, like a dream of glass and steel. It transformed the city’s skyline, adding a bold note to the horizon.

But it’s not just its dizzying height that has captivated locals and visitors. It’s its sustainable design, its commitment to the environment. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat recognized it as one of the greenest skyscrapers in the world. Each solar panel, each water recovery system, each choice of materials has been carefully thought out to minimize the impact on our planet.

And then there are the anecdotes. Couples who met at the top of the tower, artists who found their inspiration in its curves, children who looked at the city from its windows and dreamed of touching the stars, travelers who saw their lives change. The Shanghai Tower is more than a building; it is a symbol of innovation, sustainability and hope.

So, the next time you’re in Shanghai, look up to this heavenly embrace. She will tell you a story of courage, creativity and respect for our planet. 🏙️🌿

CONCLUSION

While contemplating the Shanghai Tower, we witness an architectural feat. She embodies the future and innovation. So, hop on the elevator and marvel at the view from the observation deck. This tower is much more than just a building: it is a symbol of modern China.

--

--

Ezékias Stanislas Boulandi

As a civil engineering student, I explore innovations and sustainability for a green future. Follow my articles on the construction of tomorrow.