Chengdu, China
American Prize for Architecture Laureate Jamie von Klemperer and Rebecca Cheng of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates have designed the 489-meter high Panda Tower, a mixed-use supertall building, erected on behalf of China Overseas Jialong Chengdu Real Estate, that mimics the mountains’ structure with cutouts and distinct sections that increase environmental efficiency by allowing wind to flow through the structure, tiered form one side to the other until tapering to an iconic peak.
The architects parallel this supertall tower with the mountains where one would experience different environments while increasing in elevation while climbing a mountain, different floors of the tower are home to a range of gardens.
The water sky garden features an atrium with an indoor pond. A leaf garden has ivy scaling the walls to immerse visitors in the greenery.
The wood garden introduces new materials to create a change of scenery high up in the tower.
The final ecosystem is the observation deck, where the glass walls enhance the enjoyment of the panoramic views of the Chengdu skyline.
The forest in the tower extends beyond this single structure through the incorporation of greenery throughout the complex’s public spaces.
At the tower’s base, the range in structure heights and pedestrian walkways references the surrounding nature with elevated storefronts mimicking the village, mid-level apartments as the foothills, and the tower’s peak emulating a mountain.
Project: Panda Tower
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC.
Lead Architect: Jamie von Klemperer and Rebecca Cheng
Client: China Overseas Jialong Chengdu Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Renderings: Atchain
