moshe safdie: chongqing chaotianmen

international firm safdie architects has announced its latest project, ‘chongquin chaotianmen’, a mixed-use complex in chongquin, china, located at the meeting point between the yangtze and jialing rivers. the historically significant site was the traditional chaotian gate where officials received imperial decrees from the emperors. to honor its previous use, the center is divided into eight north-facing towers in the shape of sails upon the water, a modern representation of a fleet of ancient chinese ships.

all images courtesy of safdie architects

the two central towers are 358 meters (1175 feet) above the flood plain. they will contain a service residence, a hotel, private residences and office spaces that will be linked by a garden bridge. tucked within the large towers are four shorter versions at a height of 248 meters (814 feet). together, they form a continuous arch. along the exterior, a connecting platform links the two residential and two office towers together. within the overpass is a full floor of hotel lobby, restaurants and clubs. above are the rooftop gardens and pools.

upward view of towers

the remaining two smaller structures are residential, giving the project a total of 302, 000 sq. meters of living units. underneath the skyscrapers are five levels of public programs including cultural facilities, a conference center, a theater, retail destinations and hubs for land and water transportation including ferry docking.

inward facing balconies with vegetation

lobby

view from water at dusk

aerial view of towers

upward view of towers

initial day and night aerial views of model

initial renderings of view from restaurant with rooftop park

early conceptual night view from yangtze river

section

site plan

project info:

architects: safdie architects
client: capitalland lts / capitamalls asia ltd/ singbridge holdings pte. ltd.
size: 817, 000 sq. m. (8, 800,000 sq.ft)
expected cost: 3.1 billion USD