Since people have the opportunity to build skyscrapers, they have been doing this tirelessly. Architects of all countries strive to design and erect a building that would break all records. One of these giants is the Shanghai World Financial Center. It is also called the "miracle of China." And this is true, because at the first glance at the photo the beauty of a skyscraper is visible, and the aesthetic side is of considerable importance in the full-fledged appearance of the city.
Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) is the fourth tallest building in the world, inferior to the legendary Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Abrazh al-Bait in Mecca and Taipei in Taiwan. It is also worth noting that China is developing in every way in the direction of building skyscrapers. And now it can make healthy competition to the leader in this matter - the UAE.
Design and construction history of SWFC
The Chinese began to build the Shanghai World Financial Center in the late summer of 1997. However, already next year, the construction of a skyscraper slowed down due to the financial crisis. So, the implementation of the project lasted for 10 years. Active funding was resumed only in 2003. Then they started the interior decoration of the premises, which took 12 months. Initially, it was planned to build a 460-meter building on 94 floors. But in 2003, the project was revised and adjusted these figures to 492 and 101, respectively.
In 2005, they again amended the previously developed construction plan. This time, the case touched the “window” on top of a skyscraper. Now, as you can see, it has a trapezoidal shape, but was originally round, 46 m in diameter. The Chinese themselves insisted on revising the project this time, including the mayor of Shanghai. Looking a little ahead, we note that the skyscraper was erected - the Shanghai World Financial Center - the Japanese construction company Mori Building Corporation. And this was a certain commemoration of the resumption of friendly relations between the two countries. But still, the mayor of Shanghai refused a round “window” on a skyscraper, as he believed that it resembles the rising sun - the symbolism of Japan. And so I had to do it in a trapezoidal shape. We agreed on this, especially since such changes were beneficial: the amount of the project decreased and its implementation was simplified.
The investment company wished to install a spire on the building so that SWFC could break the Taiwan tower record. However, the developer and architect categorically rejected such an idea. Perhaps they had their own reasons, but in the commentary, the authors of the project said that the existing sizes are enough for SWFC to be a beautiful and magnificent skyscraper. The Shanghai World Financial Center, whose construction date falls on 2008, has a previously planned height and number of storeys. Its total internal area is almost 378 thousand square meters. It is also equipped with 33 escalators and 31 high-speed elevators.
Features of the financial center and security measures
The main feature of the skyscraper is that it can withstand an earthquake of 7 points. The necessary checks were carried out that documented this fact. In order to increase the stability of the building, two mass shock absorbers were equipped under the observation platforms.
Every twelfth floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center is secure. That is 12, 24, 36 and so on. They are designed to protect people during a fire or other emergency until rescuers arrive. The floors have a reinforced concrete frame, dividing the structure into sections and increasing its strength. The introduction of such a scale of protection into the project increased the total cost of the skyscraper by $ 200 million. But given that the terrorist attack in New York, when the twin towers were destroyed, occurred during the construction of the SWFC, Japanese designers, not wanting to repeat the sad experience of the Americans, decided to do everything possible to protect citizens from possible threats as much as possible.
There are also elevators installed on the sides of the building, and a staircase, again, sheltered. In the event of a terrorist attack or other unforeseen circumstances that threaten the lives of people, they will be able to take advantage of all this to save them.
SWFC Records
Shanghai World Financial Center did not receive the title of tallest building in the world. But he has other achievements, no less pleasant:
- The title of "The Best Skyscraper in the World" (2008).
- The owner of the highest viewing platform in the world. It is located at 472 meters above the ground.
“Opener building”: why do you need such an unusual window on top?
The Shanghai World Financial Center, the height of which with this “window” is 492 m, was popularly called the “opener” for its bizarre shape. However, the designers did not seek to recreate a copy of the kitchen item. In fact, a trapezoidal opening is necessary to reduce air resistance.
What is inside the SWFC?
The underground part of the skyscraper is a three-story garage for parking cars, and from 1 to 5 tiers are a variety of shops, a conference center and banquet rooms. From 7 to 77 levels there are office premises that are rented by many Chinese (and not only) popular companies specializing in various types of activities. For example, the Shanghai World Financial Center (photo above) includes the office of Tomson Group Ltd. In general, the name of the skyscraper speaks about its purpose - an office building. But it is skillfully “diluted” by other institutions, which does not spoil the structure at all from the point of view of the development of the city.
But what is the center The most striking thing is the presence in the skyscraper of a huge respectable hotel called Park Hyatt Shanghai. It occupies many floors (79-93) and has 174 rooms and suites. In general, at least 12 thousand people work here. These are employees of the center (Shanghai World Financial Culture & Media Center), shops, restaurants, a hotel, staff serving the building, security and so on.
Shanghai World Financial Center: Address
The skyscraper is located in the main and fairly rapidly developing metropolis of China - Shanghai. It was built in the business district of Pudong, Shiji Dadao Street, 100. Admission is free for citizens and tourists, but visiting observation platforms is possible only after paying the entrance ticket.
Visit SWFC to see the city
The best opportunity to consider all the delights of Shanghai is to climb one of the observation platforms of the Shanghai World Financial Center. There are 3 of them:
- On the 94th floor (423 m).
- On the 97th floor (439 m).
- On the 100th floor is the Observatory-Bridge, located at an altitude of 474 m above the ground.
Enhanced security measures are thought out everywhere. The cost of visiting ranges from 120 to 150 yuan: the higher you go, the more expensive it will cost. Children and senior citizens are offered discounts. Opening hours: from 8:00 to 23 hours.
Shanghai World Financial Center: tourist reviews
This skyscraper in China is a unique architectural creation, which has an unusual and attractive appearance, although it does not have any special shape. He is just beautiful. If you are going on a trip to China, you should definitely visit Shanghai to climb to the very top of the World Financial Center and explore this beautiful metropolis with its many skyscrapers, which have not yet caught up to the Shanghai World Financial Center in height. But together they form an amazingly beautiful picture of a big city.
Tourists who have already been here recommend visiting the center in Shanghai in the evening, when it is already dark. And do not spare money to climb the upper observation deck. Time flies by. There may no longer be a chance to visit here again, and those impressions that the panoramic view will give will remain in memory for a lifetime.