Foster + Partners has completed and reimagined the Apple store in Sanlitun, an urban quarter in Beijing, China. Originally built in 2008, Apple’s first store in China has relocated, in proximity to the older building, taking on more social aspects, and generating a “new dialogue with the surrounding pedestrian streets, addressing the large open square that is a social focus for the district”.
Reimagined by Foster + Partners, Apple Sanlitun has just opened in Beijing, with collaborative design, the result of a close partnership between Apple and the architectural firm. As Stefan Behling, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners stated, “Apple Sanlitun is all about being open and inviting – visually, physically and metaphorically”, the store draws inspiration from the energy of the area, connecting inside and outside spaces.
The architecture puts in place “a porous building envelope that opens out onto all four sides and connects to the multi-layered circulation network”. In fact, the main façade, facing the square, is the ultimate source of natural light for the interior space, while the rear glazed façade is lined with trees. On each side, large staircases lead the visitors towards the Genius Grove.
A backdrop, the forum on the upper level, holds integrated upholstered leather seating, and creates “a viewing gallery for the lively square outside”. In addition, a large overhanging roof provides shelter, and includes “390 square-meters of integrated photovoltaic panels”. Other energy-saving measures comprise advanced façade design, optimized air conditioning, and efficient lighting systems.
Featuring a unique structural system that has been used for the first time in China, Apple Sanlitun introduces a Special Truss Moment Frame that resists to seismic forces, while generating a column-free interior space. “Tuned mass dampers reduce excessive vibration in the cantilevered upper level and Buckling Restrained Braced Frames minimize the structural impact on the existing basement”.
Humanity has become obsessed with breaking its limits, creating new records only to break them again and again. In fact, our cities’ skylines have always been defined by those in power during every period in history. At one point churches left their mark, followed by public institutions and in the last few decades, it’s commercial skyscrapers that continue to stretch taller and taller.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has developed its own system for classifying tall buildings, stating that the Burj Khalifa (828 m.) is the world’s tallest building right now. These are the tallest buildings in the world [Latest Update: August 2020]
City: Wuhan, China Height: 1,437 ft (438 meters) Floors: 88 Architects: East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Building Function: Hotel, Residential, Office Completion: 2019
Location: Guangzhou, China Height: 1,439 ft (438,6 m) Floors: 103 Architects: Wilkinson Eyre Architects Building Function: Hotel, Office Completion: 2010
Location: Suzhou, China Height: 1,476 ft (450 m) Floors: 95 Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) Building Function: Hotel, Office, Serviced Apartments Completion: 2019
Location: Hong Kong Height: 1,588 ft (484 m) Floors: 108 Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) Building Function: Hotel, Office Completion: 2010
Location: Shanghai Height: 1,614 ft (492 m) Floors: 101 Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) + Mori Building + Irie Miyake Architects and Engineers Building Function: Hotel, Office Completion: 2008
Location: Seoul Height: 1,819 ft (554.5 m) Floors: 123 Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) Building Function: Hotel, Office, Residential, Retail Completion: 2017
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia Height: 1,972 ft (601 m) Floors: 120 Architects: Dar al-Handasah Shair & Partners + SL Rasch Building Function: Mixed Use Completion: 2012
2. Shanghai Tower, the tallest twisted building in the world
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![International Commerce Centre. Image © Isaac Torrontera [Flickr] under license CC BY 2.0](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/566e/0ddb/e58e/cead/7100/0141/newsletter/07.jpg?1450053064)
![Shanghai World Financial Center . Image © Ferox Seneca [Wikipedia] under license CC BY 3.0](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/566e/0be9/e58e/ce9c/1a00/014d/medium_jpg/06.jpg?1450052548)
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![Ping An Finance Center. Image © Terri Meyer Boake [via CTBUH]](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/590c/cb89/e58e/ce34/8300/0001/medium_jpg/ping-an-finance-center_terri-meyer-boake6.jpg?1494010759)
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