CITIC Tower

The Beijing municipal government desired an iconic tower fit for the modern city, yet rooted in Chinese culture. CITIC Tower’s gently rising and curving form embodies the historic capital’s gracefulness, and resembles an ancient Chinese ceremonial vessel, called the Zun. KPF interpreted this cultural reference as a generative design motif. The articulation techniques of the Zun is distilled and applied throughout the design of the tower form, envelope, canopy, entrance portals, ground floor lobby, and top multi-purpose hall interiors. The resulting gently rising and curving form embodies the historic capital’s gracefulness, while the constant movement and key transformations create forward looking gestures and dynamism.