Arup push design boundaries for innovative new culture hub

Yantai City’s Sun Tower has recently opened for trial operations in China. Tenderstream member Arup, as structural and MEP consultants, worked closely with OPEN Architects to bring this cultural gem to life. Spanning a total floor area of 4,962 sq m, the striking new building houses a spectrum of amenities, including an outdoor theatre, a digital exhibition hall, and viewing platforms on multiple levels. With a library crowning its summit, the 50m tower features a northern façade that is artfully open, providing breath-taking views of the sea.

Archaeological discoveries revealed that Yantai was among the earliest places in China where an ancient sun-worshiping culture emerged. OPEN designed the Sun Tower to capture and celebrate natural phenomena, while bringing much-needed cultural and communal facilities to the new urban district. The digital exhibition spaces and the library are intended to foster discussions on coastal community collaboration and raise environmental awareness.

The architectural style blends white raw concrete with transparent spatial layers, creating a visually striking and functionally efficient space. Positioned in a coastal environment, the tower faces unique challenges related to environmental factors and load stresses.The integration of a double-layered concrete shell system ensures structural integrity, capable of withstanding various stresses while maintaining optimal internal temperatures. Through parametric design and the application of advanced strain energy principles, Arup optimised the tower’s geometry for enhanced performance, efficiency and sustainability.

Arup’s collaboration with architects and partners has yielded pioneering material and technological innovations, resulting in successful patent applications. From the free-form concrete formwork construction method, to the comprehensive use of 3D parametric digital technology, the tower stands as a testament to the design team commitment to pushing architectural boundaries.

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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