Innovative form embraces wind

SOM have recently announced a new 69 storey, 303 metre tower, in Guangzhou, for China National Tobacco Corp. The Pearl River Tower epitomizes the super tall corporate headquarters building of tomorrow as an iconic, high performance structure, that is designed in such harmony with its environment that it potentially produces as much energy as it consumes. The building’s sculptural form guides wind to a pair of openings at its mechanical floors. The rapid winds push turbines that generate energy for the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The openings also provide structural relief, by allowing wind to pass through the building instead of pressing against it. Abundant natural light, solar power and grey water retention also enhance the building’s environmentally-friendly nature.