▲ Top view rendering of the project
The Jinmao Tower, soaring 323 meters high and designed by Aedas, stands prominently in the heart of Changsha New Area — the first national new area in central China. Positioned at the intersection of the east and west blocks, this skyscraper enjoys a prime location facing the city’s main road to the west, adjacent to a scenic landscape axis, and overlooking Meixi Lake across the street.
The key challenge of this project was selecting the most iconic elements from Changsha’s rich millennial heritage to create a building that aligns with the owner’s vision and harmonizes with the surrounding high-rise skyline. The design aims to minimize visual disruption while maximizing the site’s geographical advantages to establish a new landmark for Changsha.
▲ Project’s geographical location
▲ Surrounding urban context
Creating a landmark building requires a thoughtful approach from start to finish. It must engage with its location and maintain a meaningful connection to the local culture, environment, and history — without resorting to direct imitation or copying, which holds little value. Dr. Andy Wen, the project’s lead designer, drew inspiration from Changsha’s most distinctive landforms, incorporating the region’s unique mountain peaks into the architectural concept.
The tower’s silhouette mimics the curves of overlapping mountain peaks, rising majestically like a mountain itself. With Meixi Lake representing the water element and an observation island symbolizing the island, the design collectively evokes a miniature landscape of Changsha’s “Shanshui Island City,” seamlessly blending the building with its natural surroundings.
The design translates Changsha’s mountainous terrain into a modern architectural language. Starting with a square base, the tower is segmented into four staggered rectangular volumes, creating a dynamic concave and convex profile. This layered form enhances the building’s three-dimensional appearance from multiple viewpoints while improving interior space efficiency and offering additional viewing angles.
The tower’s top features four staggered square blocks arranged according to functional needs, forming a unique outline that resembles the layers and peaks of stacked rocks. The podium echoes this concept with square, staggered volumes and a glass box set within a stone frame, simulating the ruggedness of mountain rocks. Altogether, the building’s shape harmonizes with Changsha’s natural landscape, embodying a distinctive and memorable landmark.
▲ The architectural contours are layered and rugged
▲ Design concept imagery
Integrating tradition with modernity, the design introduces a large champagne-colored LED screen that serves as a striking contemporary element. Resembling a glowing pearl nestled within the mountains, this screen adds a captivating and unforgettable visual feature to Meixi Lake’s scenery.
Beyond aesthetics, the LED screen performs practical functions by displaying various lighting scenes throughout the day and night. Acting as a city beacon, it enriches the urban image and resonates with the nearby art center on Meixi Lake’s east bank. This feature highlights local cultural values, establishing the tower as a unique urban landmark in Changsha.
▲ LED screen displaying dynamic lighting effects
The facade design pays homage to Changsha’s historic old streets, deeply reflecting local culture. The design team meticulously studied key architectural elements such as vertical lines, arcades, and street balconies, extracting these classic features and integrating them into the tower and podium facades. This approach preserves the historical and cultural narrative through a contemporary architectural expression.
▲ Commercial podium featuring a glass box with stone framing
▲ Arcade-inspired facade elements in the podium building
▲ Street-level view of the commercial complex in the podium
In line with the owner’s requirements, the office tower and commercial podium are distinctly separated and operate independently. The tower is strategically placed on the southeast side of the site to ensure unobstructed views and visual harmony with neighboring buildings. Facing Meixi Lake to the east, it features an impressive LED lighting screen and facade display.
The podium buildings occupy the northwest side, adjacent to the main street and public transit networks, facilitating pedestrian flow and maximizing commercial frontage along the street. Together, the tower and podium create a central plaza that aligns with the southern landscape axis, forming multiple green spaces and leisure areas for public enjoyment.
▲ Facade display facing Meixi Lake to the east
▲ Functional zoning plan
Project Information
Project: Changsha Jinmao Tower
Location: Changsha, China
Design and Project Architect: Aedas
Owner: China Jinmao Holdings Group Co., Ltd
Building Area: 210,000 square meters
Completion Year: 2023
Design Director: Dr. Andy Wen, Global Design Director
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up