Project Overview: Wangchao Center, Hangzhou
Location: Hangzhou, China | Architectural Design: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) | Height: 280m | Aluminum Profiles: AAG | Curtain Wall Type: Unitized System
Wangchao Center is a 280-meter LEED Silver-certified skyscraper in Hangzhou, designed by SOM. It features a pioneering unitized curtain wall system supported by AAG aluminum profiles, integrating structural innovation with artistic inspiration from the West Lake.
Architectural & Structural Design Highlights
1. Vertical Ripple Motif | West Lake-Inspired Façade
The tower’s curtain wall echoes the soft ripples of West Lake through elegantly undulating curves. The façade tapers upward, creating a sense of dynamic motion and visual lightness—a signature of AAG’s custom aluminum profile engineering.
2. Structural Totem | Inclined Mega-Columns
Eight inclined mega-columns (Ø2.5m) rise from the base, drawing inspiration from a bamboo forest. These columns serve as the main load-bearing system and enhance the tower’s seismic and wind resistance, achieving compliance with Magnitude 8 seismic design standards.
3. Column-Free Lobby & Core-Truss Synergy
A high-elevation transfer truss system connects the peripheral mega-columns to the central core, enabling a 16-meter column-free cantilevered lobby. This design ensures seamless integration with the urban plaza while maximizing spatial flexibility.
4. Vierendeel Truss: Structural Artistry
Vierendeel trusses at mechanical floors redistribute loads to the inclined columns. These trusses are expressed architecturally, blending industrial aesthetics with technical performance—showcasing how structural logic enhances visual impact.
Key Project Details
Curtain Wall Partners: YASHA Curtain Wall + Zhongnan Construction Group
Certification: LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Silver
Structural System: Inclined Mega-Columns + Reinforced Concrete Core + Transfer Trusses
