ole scheeren unveils the axiom as tallest skyscraper in shanghai's yangpu district

the axiom by Ole Scheeren rises to 280 meters in shanghai

The Axiom by architecture practice Büro Ole Scheeren is the tallest building at the heart of Yangpu District in northeast Shanghai, one of the city’s fastest-growing districts. It stands as a key gateway to The Springs, a new hub for innovation and creativity spearheaded by US real estate developer Tishman Speyer. With a unique offset core typology, the tower rises to 280 meters across 49 stories and is the first of two skyscrapers that will form the centerpiece of the Speyer development. The second tower is currently in construction and will reach 250 meters tall upon completion. Furthermore, the district has attracted renowned multinational brands, including Nike, ByteDance, and IBM, to open their regional headquarters in The Springs.

all images © Büro Ole Scheeren

breaking away from the archetype of corporate towers

The Axiom breaks away from the archetype of corporate towers with a twist on minimalism and functionalism, heralded by Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram building in New York. With China being home to more high-rises than any other country, the tower is a modern update to the corporate skyscraper archetype — providing over 185,000 sqm of offices, hotel, retail, and cultural facilities, with a theatre that stretches across both towers. Büro Ole Scheeren (see more here) even employs an offset core instead of the ubiquitous central-core typology, with the services and elevators protruding from the facade. This frees the interior floor plates of mechanical and structural obstructions, resulting in large, efficient, and adaptable workspaces catering to growing and established organizations. An offset core design is unique in buildings over 250 meters, making up just 3% of the world’s 500 tallest buildings. Liberated from columns and services, the floors can be easily configured, accommodating future business expansion, collaboration, and changing needs.

The Axiom rises to 280 meters across 49 stories

volumetric openings make way for sculptural Sky Terraces

Central to Ole Scheeren’s design are carved volumetric openings that form the sculptural Sky Terraces. These mid-tower spaces house collaborative zones acting as social catalysts for The Springs and visually anchor the workspace. The terraces align with the heights of nearby buildings, providing harmonious proportions and a playful rhythm. Vertical bronze fins further enhance the architectural elegance, which offers sleek interior lighting and ventilation. The fluctuating width of the Sky Terraces, lined with gold edges, frames the panoramic views of Shanghai. The apertures look out to the city while creating a dramatic mid-point where the urban landscape can look back into The Axiom. Opposed to the muted shafts of corporate skyscrapers, the openings – alongside the illuminated elevators that visibly ascend and descend – offer glimpses into the tower and city at large.

breaking away from corporate towers archetype with a twist on minimalism and functionalism

the axiom is a hybrid of functionalism and iconicity

The Sky Terrace is complemented by the Roof Oasis crowning the tower; it offers outdoor gardens with lush plant life and flowing water features for occupants that speak to the rich nature of the local district and nearby wetland eco-park. Additionally, The Axiom embeds itself in Shanghai with the Cultural Gate, a mixed-use podium that will connect the twin towers at its southern tips. The podium houses informal workspaces, public roof terraces, and cafes, bringing vitality throughout its surroundings. The Cultural Gate guides visitors into the center of The Springs and towards a multi-form theater for cultural events and activities, further dissolving the boundaries between the corporate function and public realm. ‘Designed as a strategic hybrid of functionalism and iconicity, the twin towers represent the fluidity and dynamism of the future-oriented businesses they will accommodate,’ concludes Ole Scheeren.

Ole Scheeren employs an offset core as opposed to the ubiquitous central-core typology