Shanghai World Financial Center - Permasteelisa Group

Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai, PR China

Photos: courtesy of Mori Building

Shanghai Financial World Center (SWFC) is an award-winning mixed-use development, rising 492m from the heart of Shanghai’s Pudong area.

Currently the second tallest building in China, the 101-storey project has a unique monolithic simplicity and hosts offices, conference rooms, observation decks and ground-floor shopping malls, in addition to the Park Hyatt Shanghai hotel.

In 2008, SWFC was awarded the CTBUH Best Tall Building Award Worldwide Winner.

Brand: Permasteelisa

Design architect: Kohn Pederson Fox Associates

Executive architect: Irie Miyake Architects & Engineers

Project architect & engineer: Mori Building Company

Contractor: Shanghai Construction Group & China State Construction Engineering Corporation

The project

The concept

Known for its distinct form and design elements, SWFC’s most notable feature is its tower crown, where an observatory deck gives spectacular views of the surrounding skyline while reducing wind load. Anodised aluminium decorations have been used to reflect light and amplify external lighting effects at night.

What did we do?

We designed, manufactured, engineered and installed 120,000 sqm of curtain wall with a mullion-and-transom frame form and cover that can be removed from the inside, allowing for simple replacement of glass panes. We treated the glass with a chemical that acts as a permanent self-cleaning surface barrier, while anodised aluminium decorations on the outside of the windows reflect light and enhance external lighting at night. The multi-layer glass curtain wall improves energy efficiency, preventing hot air entering the building and maximising the effectiveness of the air conditioning system.

Key facts

Year completed

2008

Building height

492m; 101 storeys

Façade materials

Aluminium, glass

Total façade supplied

120,000 sqm