Suzhou IFS, aims to be a landmark on the city’s skyline in both form and function, drawing upon modern design practices to belay the area’shistorical repertoire.The whole development has 382,462 sqm GFA of which a100-storey mixed use tower is currently the 20th tallest building in the world according to CTBUH. Suzhou has long been a trade centre in China, and the building’s design pays tribute to thisachievement. The tower’s form is reminiscentof a fish, a symbol of prosperity and a nod to the role that water has played in the city’s history and identity—the city is surrounded bybeautiful lakes and canals, commonly known as “Venice of the East.” As such, the tower is designed to interact with the surroundingbodies of water.
The tower gestures towards Jinji Lake and opens out towards the water.Soaring upwards, the curved “tail” of the fish subtly transitions from the scale of the lake and surrounding buildings to the top of the tower. More than an architectural embellishment, the flared base maximizes views of the water for the serviced apartments within and considerablylengthens its street frontage. At night, the tower cladding is articulated with glowing LEDs that activate in a staggered timing, shimmering in the evening skyline, much like the nearby lake.
Team:
Architect: Wong Tung & Partners Limited
Architectural Design: KPF
Photography: Wong Tung & Partners Limited
