• Kunming International Finance Center

    Client: Yunnan Dacheng Real Estate Development Co.,Ltd
    Status:     Competition
    Type:     Tower
    Size:     130,000m2
    Location:     Yunnan, Kunming, China
    Collaborators:     AIM Group, Guangzhou Urban & Rural Planning Design Institute, Thornton Tomasetti, Transsolar, Front Inc, Realities United

    The design of the Kunming international Finance Center (KIFC) reflects the bold nature of the environmental landscape of the city. The intent is to create a landmark for Yunnan, Kunming that would resonate the city’s strong natural landscape. Yunnan’s stone forests and unique terracing rice fields are major attractions of the city, and are the key characteristics to its identity.

    With nature as its major landmark, the KIFC aims to maximize the benefits of having such a bold scenery as its setting. The gaping opening within the body of the building creates a curvilinear void space that mimics the terraced landscapes, now functioning as balconies on each level. This open courtyard frames views of the city from either side of the building.

    In addition to adopting a conventional tower typology with programs such as headquarters of corporations, rentable offices, conference center, and retail restaurants, the design also redefines a new workspace and commercial typology by taking the advantages of the natural climate and mild atmosphere of Kunming. This approach can be easily seen by the juxtaposition of the fluidity of the void against the strong rectangular forms of the towers framing the courtyard. The green balconies on each level are accessible by the workers and assist in natural ventilation throughout the building. The 200-meter tall building offers generous atrium spaces that give views via the continuous balconies on each side of the twin towers with unobstructed vista views in all directions.

    As the Kunming International Finance Center is the tallest structure that will be erected in the Kunming CBD, this merging twin tower achieves its iconic identity, symbolizing a progressive economy’s wealth. It will introduce a new sustainable working lifestyle that fits into the green culture of Kunming in harmony as a main guiding principle in its architectural concept.