King Tower

Shanghai, China

HEIGHT: 212m/696 feet

FLOORS: 38 floors

COMPLETION: 1996

ARCHITECT: TaoHo Design Architects

This tower is the headquarters of the Jin Qiao Reprocessing Zone in the new development area of Shanghai. The building is divided vertically into two zones: the upper zone houses the headquarters while the lower zones are for tenants.

Elevators rise to a lobby area about midway up the building, which is visible as a recess on the elevation. From there, a second set of elevators provide access to the headquarters.

The exterior incorporates a blue tinted glass canopy, 5 stories in height, that sweeps down and out to cover the main entrance. The steel girders continue above the roof to form a 15m pinnacle.

The design endeavours to create a visual symbol to capture the dynamic spirit of the high tech industrial development of the new Shanghai.