Since people have the opportunity to build skyscrapers, they have been doing it tirelessly. Architects of all countries strive to design and build 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 the skyscraper is visible, and the aesthetic side is of considerable importance in the full appearance of the city.
Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) is the fourth tallest building in the world behind the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Abraj Al Bait in Mecca and Taipei in Taiwan. It is also worth noting that China is developing in every possible way in the direction of the construction of skyscrapers. And now it can compete with the leader in this matter - the UAE.
SWFC design and construction history
The Chinese started building the Shanghai World Financial Center in the late summer of 1997. However, next yearthe construction of the skyscraper slowed down due to the financial crisis. Thus, the implementation of the project lasted for 10 years. Active funding resumed only in 2003. Then we started the interior decoration, which took 12 months. It was originally planned to build a 460-meter building with 94 floors. But in 2003, the project was revised and these figures were adjusted to 492 and 101, respectively.
In 2005, the previously developed construction plan is again amended. This time it was the "window" at the top of the skyscraper. Now, as you can see, it has a trapezoid shape, but originally it was round, 46 m in diameter. This time, the Chinese themselves, including the mayor of Shanghai, insisted on revising the project. Looking ahead a little, we note that the skyscraper - the Shanghai World Financial Center - was built by the Japanese construction company Mori Building Corporation. And this was a kind of commemoration of the resumption of friendly relations between the two countries. But still, the mayor of Shanghai refused the round "window" on the skyscraper, as he believed that it resembles the rising sun - the symbol of Japan. And so I had to make it a trapezoidal shape. We agreed on this, especially since such changes were for the good: the amount of the project decreased and its implementation was simplified.
An investment company wanted to install a spire on a building so that SWFC could break the Taiwanese tower record. However, the developer and architect categorically rejected such an idea. Perhaps they had their own reasons, but in a comment, the authors of the project said that it is enough for SWFCexisting dimensions to be a beautiful and majestic skyscraper. The Shanghai World Financial Center, whose construction date falls on 2008, as a result has the 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 a magnitude 7 earthquake. The necessary checks were carried out, which documented this fact. In order to increase the stability of the building, two mass dampers were equipped under the observation decks.
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 the rescuers arrive. The floors have a reinforced concrete frame that divides the structure into sections and increases its strength. Incorporating this level of protection into the project increased the total cost of the skyscraper by US$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 to protect citizens from possible threats as much as possible.
There are also elevators installed on the sides of the building, and the stairs, again, protected. In the event of a terrorist attack or otherunforeseen circumstances that threaten people's lives, they will be able to use all this to save themselves.
SWFC records
Shanghai World Financial Center did not receive the title of the tallest building in the world. But he has other achievements, no less pleasant:
- Title of "The best skyscraper in the world" (2008).
- The owner of the highest observation deck in the world. It is located 472 meters above the ground.
"Building-opener": why such an unusual window on top?
The Shanghai World Financial Center, whose height 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, the trapezoidal hole is necessary to reduce air resistance.
What's inside the SWFC?
The underground part of the skyscraper is a three-story parking garage, and from 1st to 5th tiers there are various shops, a conference center and banquet halls. From levels 7 to 77 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 very name of the skyscraper speaks of its purpose - an office building. But it is skillfully "diluted"other institutions, which does not spoil the structure at all in terms of city development.
But what strikes the center most of all 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, hotel, building staff, 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. The entrance is free for citizens and tourists, but visiting the observation decks is possible only after paying the entrance ticket.
Visit SWFC to see the city
The best opportunity to see all the delights of Shanghai is to climb one of the observation decks of the Shanghai World Financial Center. There are 3 in total:
- On the 94th floor (423m).
- On the 97th floor (439 m).
- On the 100th floor is the Observatory-Bridge, located at an altitude of 474 m above the ground.
There are enhanced security measures everywhere. The cost of visiting ranges from 120 to 150 yuan: the higher you climb, the more expensive it will cost. Discounts are offered for children and pensioners. Opening hours: from 8:00 to 23:00.
Shanghai World Financial Center: reviews of tourists
This skyscraper in China is a unique architectural creation that has an unusual and attractive appearance, although it does not have any special shape. He's just handsome. 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 see this beautiful metropolis with its many skyscrapers that have not yet caught up with the height of the Shanghai World Financial Center. 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 to the upper observation deck. Time flies by unnoticed. There may not be a chance to visit here again, and the impressions that a panoramic view will give will remain in memory for a lifetime.
