Assignment 1.

1
Reflection Paper for the Case Study of Shanghai Tower

Skyscrapers are tied to the economic growth of the country in certain ways. To build such a vast number of skyscrapers,
a massive economy is essential. There is no doubt that wealthy individuals, banks, and other corporations construct
skyscrapers as a symbol of pride and expression of wealth. Governments are more likely to assist with the costs for
the same reasons: pride and status. However, skyscrapers are usually erected to earn money in areas where real
estate is exceedingly costly, as that is the only option to develop financially in areas such as downtown areas of major
cities.

The Shanghai Tower is placed between the two similarly spectacular skyscrapers, the Shanghai Jin Mao Tower on the
right and the Shanghai World Financial Tower on the left. The Shanghai Tower, together with the Jin Mao Tower and
the World Financial Tower, forms the world's first consecutive grouping of three supertall skyscrapers. Gensler, an
American architectural company, designed the structure, with Chinese architect Jun Xia directing the design team. The
skyscraper is composed of nine cylindrical structures piled on top of one another, totaling 121 storeys, all encased by
the inner layer of the glass facade. The structure is roughly 632 meters and 2,073 in feet tall, with 128 levels, and a
total floor space of 380,000 m2 which is 4,090,000 sq feet. Its multilevel design, which is intended for great energy
efficiency and sustainability, allows for numerous independent zones for office, retail, and recreational usage.

Aside from the Shanghai Tower's opulent design and construction, the skyscraper encountered plenty of issues. The
most striking example is an absurdly low occupancy rate. This was due to a number of factors. The building's spiraling
glass exterior, which was good for mitigating wind loads, resulted in an unsuitable floor plate, requiring tenants to pay
for enormous swaths of unused space. Personally, I believe that any construction should be well-designed and
compatible with the difficulties that it faces. From an architectural standpoint, it may be judged by how well a structure
can perform its purpose. To accomplish the role, designers must adhere to the standard and other engineering
regulations for each and every structure that is created. If this occurs, the buildings can be classified as well-designed.

Tall structures, in my opinion, are rarely profitable, especially at first. In many cases, they will never be fully rented, or
at the very least, the estimates are overly optimistic. A supertall skyscraper is often constructed for the sake of status
rather than actual revenue, and being fully rented is not usually a condition for construction. Furthermore, the leasing
business has not had a very successful run in recent years. Shanghai Tower may be envisioned as being inhabited by
international clients seeking the building's grandeur, however owing to Covid, we should be considering a long-term
reconfiguration of office space usage.