Hainan Center

Eight mega-columns arranged in pairs at the building corners form the tower’s primary structure. Their inclination changes in sync with the shape of the tower so that they separate halfway up and converge again at the top.

The secondary structure derives directly from the program: While the offices in the lower section require flexible and spacious layouts, the hotel rooms situated in the upper section feature unobstructed views of the city and beyond. 

To achieve this goal, a structural shift occurs in the system at the transition between office and hotel use: The struts of the secondary structure appear on the lower section’s outside, creating a clear-span space on the inside. On the 68^th floor, the struts transition from the outside to the inside to provide the unobstructed views specified for the hotel rooms situated on the upper floors. At the same time, the load-bearing central core opens up into an atrium.

The atrium accommodates the hotel’s entrance zone. A glazed roof allows daylight to enter right down into the lobby. The tower is crowned with a sky lounge and observation deck situated on the top floor of the 94-story building.

The exposed mega-columns and diagonal struts appearing in a diamond shape lend rhythm and structure to the façade. This design creates an interplay of uninterrupted, seamlessly connected lines on the façade. These building lines continue down to the plaza, dividing the open space into distinct areas featuring lush greenery and water pools.

The building’s shape and surrounding outdoor spaces are inspired by the lotus flower, a symbol of Buddhism that plays an important role locally.