Suzhou Zhongnan Center
Suzhou
This project was redesigned and replaced by Suzhou Zhongnan Center (Redesign)
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Official Name
Suzhou Zhongnan Center
Other Names
Century Plaza South Tower, Suzhou Hungnam Centre, Jin Ji Tower
Name of Complex
Type
Building
Status
Never Completed
Country
City
Address
Function
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CVU "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
Hotel / Residential / Office
Structural Material
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CVU database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.
Composite
Height
729 m / 2,392 ft
Floors Above Ground
137
Floors Below Ground
5
# of Apartments
706
# of Hotel Rooms
276
# of Parking Spaces
1500
# of Elevators
93
Top Elevator Speed
18 m/s
Tower GFA
500,000 m² / 5,381,955 ft²
Construction Schedule
Proposed
Construction Start
Architect
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Engineer of Record takes the balance of the engineering effort not executed by the “Design Engineer,” typically responsible for construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc.
MEP Engineer
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
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Developer
Zhongnan Group
Architect
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Engineer of Record takes the balance of the engineering effort not executed by the “Design Engineer,” typically responsible for construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc.
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd.
MEP Engineer
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
China Team Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd.; Jiangsu Zhongnan Construction Industry Group Co., Ltd.
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Rider Levett Bucknall
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
DDA International Hotel Consulting
Environmental Market Solutions, Inc.
Edgett Williams Consulting Group Inc.; Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultants Private Limited
About Suzhou Zhongnan Center
At 729 meters, the Suzhou Zhongnan Center is positioned to be the tallest building in China, and the third tallest in the world when it is completed in 2020. On a site to the west of Lake Jinji, close to the “pants-like” Gate to the East, the tower will dominate the skyline of Shanghai’s sister city of Suzhou. The development of this tower coincides with the rise of the city itself. With a growing population of more than 10 million, the city’s canals, gardens, and emerging technology and financial districts are transforming it into a world-class city that accommodates residents and tourists alike. The tower will incorporate hotel, residential, and office uses, some of which will be dedicated to SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) spaces, very small business environments that cater to firms of one to four people
The design of the tower was inspired by Jiangnan culture, referencing its pointed pagodas and local artesian wells. At the base, the podium lifts upward to resemble a flying lantern, establishing a public plaza at ground level. As one enters the tower and moves inward, the interior geometry alters to indicate a transition from public to private space. The isolated podium attaches to the tower via a translucent façade, lit by fritted glass along the exterior. Unlike other buildings designed at this height, the tower is four-sided and features a consistently smooth facade. The consistent appearance is only broken by the louver systems at mechanical floors.
The tower gently tapers as it rises, forming a pointed crown that caps the precipice. In addition to providing an aesthetically appealing terminus for the tower’s form, the crown also plays a critical role in the building’s structural performance. In a remarkable feat of engineering, it will contain both a 750-ton tuned mass damper (TMD) and a tuned sloshing damper (TSD). The tuned sloshing damper serves a double purpose as a container for emergency sprinkler water.
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