Revirando a Teoria: Eugene Tsui

THE SHENZHEN TOWER: NEW SYMBOL OF CHINA’S FUTURE
By Dr. Eugene Tsui, Architect/Author / professor August 20, 2006

The creation of the city of Shenzhen is one of the most remarkable stories in modern times. It is the story of the vision of a political body and the industriousness of a nation and its people. Never before has there been created a thriving metropolis of 12 million people from a tiny hamlet of 3000 persons in just 26 years. This is an incredible feat. Shenzhen is unique in that it is a collection of many people from all over China who are given the chance to create a new culture, identity and future. What will be the expression of this new character and identity?

Shenzhen’s geographical location makes it truly a southern gateway to China and its ability to create a spirit of innovation, originality and pride makes it a destination showcase and benchmark of the future. Up to now, the remarkable city of Shenzhen, though well known throughout China, is hardly recognized elsewhere in the world. Some world maps do not include its name. Shenzhen’s advancements in planning, ecology, safety, environmental protection, immigration, and land use are barely known on the global stage. The spirit of its people and the resolutions of the city leaders continue to go unappreciated by much of the world at large. This must change.It is time for Shenzhen to acknowledge its special place in the world and let it be known to all nations and people.

We must create an original and timeless emblem, which expresses the aspirations of Shenzhen City and the noble aims of the nation. Many great cities of the world have their icons of instant recognition; the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Giza, the Sydney Opera House, the Great Wall of China, the Seattle Space Needle, the Golden Gate Bridge, all are instant benchmarks representing cities and nations of the world—and the special circumstances of the times. Now it is Shenzhen’s time to place itself in the world.

SHENZHEN TOWER: THE GOLDEN, COSMIC DRAGON

Imagine an inclined tower 600 meters high, shimmering in reflective gold—the tallest building in the world—angled 7.5 degrees into the wind, with 92 windmills and 70,000 square meters of photovoltaic solar panels altogether producing 471 megawatts of pollution free, renewable electrical energy. Imagine this tower facing into the wind, its spinning windmills glissening in the sunlight like the scales of a giant, golden, cosmic dragon overseeing the South China Sea, standing at the geographical gateway to China from the south. The tower itself, by far, the largest, single renewable energy structure in the world and Shenzhen will be the capital of renewable energy.

The Shenzhen Tower is sheathed in gold anodized iridescent aluminum, which is weatherproof and requires little maintenance. The photovoltaic panels on the south side are angled to maximize exposure to the sun and this angling makes the tower look like a giant dragon with angled scales on its back—the dragon-like look is the perfect symbol of the power, creativity and tenacity of the southern region and of China as a nation.

At the north side of the Shenzhen Tower is a Great Crystal Hall at ground level—looking like an exploding mineral crystal—consisting of large, angled, pyramidal polygons whose peaks soar up to 136 meters into the sky. The hall is made of translucent, iridescent glass that reflects heat away from the building and creates a fantastic multi-colored effect. Each of the “crystal” peaks forms a heat chimney effect that sweeps warm air from the interior of the building and funnels it up and out of the building naturally without mechanical systems. This funneling effect is used to turn fans to create electricity within the building.

Near the Great Crystal Hall is a 7-meter deep sunken plaza for dining and recreation. Inclined ramps lead down to the lower level where several restaurants, teahouses and a children’s play park provide a relaxed environment surrounded by 7-meter high waterfalls and pools on three sides. On the south side of the tower, hovering 73 meters above the ground, is a giant glass, aluminum and stainless steel globe with water spilling our from the globe’s equator to form a huge waterfall which acts as an outdoor cooling device to escape Shenzhen’s hot, humid weather. Inside the waterfall is a swimming pool and lounging plaza protected from the scorching sun. A giant curtain of falling water 73 meters above 4656 square meters surrounds the area. The upper surface of the globe features a variety of curling stainless steel sunshades that swirl and twist in all directions. These are each hinged and can be electronically opened and closed during hot and cold seasons. They act as sunshades and ventilation louvers. Visitors enter the enclosed waterfall and pool area through protected archways that lead to the inner water wonderland.

The waterfall has another use; it is a part of a water recycling and cleaning system using special water plants to turn raw sewage into clean water. This globally proven system requires only 20 acres of shallow pond, .5 meters deep, to serve the sewage needs of 7000 persons. The system is called “constructed wetlands” or “living systems,” and exists throughout the world. Large native trees surround the architectural structure. Circular tables and seats wrap around each tree trunk creating a shaded and peaceful place to rest and take in the beauty and peace of the surroundings.

THE OBSERVATION EYE

To reach any one of five observation floors of Shenzhen Tower a five level vertical train allows passengers to stop at five levels simultaneously. The train can travel from ground level to the top five floors in one minute. The vertical “trains” are made of structural safety glass so visitors can see the ground giving away under their feet and shooting them skyward to the lofty blue skies with breathtaking speed—visitors see the entire southern region of China and the islands of the South China Sea; the shimmering waters and receding peaks of distant islands. At the top, every significant natural and human made feature of the region can be viewed and is labeled. Maps and audio tours will point the visitor in the direction of each place such as the birthplace of Sun Yat Sen, Guilin, the Ming Wall, Macao, Hong Kong, Dru Hai, and other special places of the region.

Each floor of the observation area is made of transparent and translucent structural glass so that towards the edge of each floor visitors can see downward and upward with minimal visual interference. Several restaurants are located on each of the five observation floors featuring indigenous cuisine of the area. Local musicians, poets and artists perform and exhibit their works. The melodic sounds of music and human voice reverberate throughout the spaces with pleasing tones and mysterious qualities. Each floor contains souvenir shops, bookstore, small theatre and audio guided tours, which talk about the special places, history and attitudes of the region as well as future plans.

The Observation Eye structure features a rain and wind catch system that captures rainwater for grey water use and wind funneling for interior cooling. The aerodynamic shape maximizes smooth airflow while minimizing stress and strain to the structure. A circular antennae, 50 meters in diameter, transmits television, radio and multiple frequency waves across the region. Capping these antennae is a 50-meter high lighting rod that grounds the entire structure for safety during lightning and thunderstorms.

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The Shenzen Project

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