Penang New Waterfront City Coming Up

The Light City is a highly-acclaimed integrated waterfront development in Penang, Malaysia. It has gone through many design revision over the years and was put on hold last year due to Covid-19.

Construction works have finally commenced on Phase 1 of this mega undertaking by IJM Perennial Development Sdn. Bhd. ("IJM Perennial") - a joint venture between IJM Corporation Berhad ("IJM") and Perennial Holdings Private Limited ("Perennial").

Situated adjacent to an Expressway that connect the city to the industrial parks at the Southern part of the island, it is easily accessible by both residents and travellers. The Penang Bridge, International Airport and Ferry Terminal are within a 10km radius, and even the proposed The Light LRT Station will be located next to the site.

The Light City spans a total gross floor area (GFA) of over 4.1mil sq ft and will be developed in two phases into a unique waterfront precinct.

Key components of the project includes the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) which will be the largest in the state with 270,000sq.ft. of Gross Floor Area, a 1.5mil sq.ft. retail mall, 34-storey hotel and office towers, as well as two residential apartments - Mezzo and Essence.

Phase I comprises the PWCC, 1mil sq.ft. of the retail mall, the hotel and office tower, and Mezzo. Construction commenced on Oct 1, 2020 and is expected to complete progressively from December 2024 onwards.

Officially named The Waterfront Shoppes, the retail mall will offer new-to-market shopping, dining, entertainment and lifestyle experiences set against the architectural heritage of Penang.

Features include an exclusive Beverly Hills-inspired rodeo drive with external flagship stores lining the street. The F&B zones will feature an open concept gourmet food hall, food street and large-format dining concepts.

Meanwhile, al-fresco waterfront dining outlets provide diners with the perfect setting to unwind with an extensive selection of cafes, eateries and restaurants framed by clear views of the sea and the majestic Penang Bridge.

Located adjacent to the retail mall and seamlessly connected to it and the PWCC will be a luxurious four-star hotel catering to Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) delegates and leisure guests alike.

The 500-room hotel will also have smart security and access features such as mobile app check-in, keyless entry and room automation control to create a seamless guest experience.

The Light City aspires to be the first smart city in Penang. A leading converged solutions provider in Malaysia has been appointed to integrate the latest information and communications (ICT) infrastructure and turn it into a 5G city.

This affords MICE delegates, shoppers, hotel guests, office tenants and residents optimal online connectivity and high-quality voice, data and digital solutions.

Source: The Edge

经过多次设计更改和由于去年疫情暂停后，这独特项目终于开启啦！它将为马来西亚的槟城增多一个旅游和打卡景点。

A Giant Air Purifier That Also Looks Great

The first time I looked at this photo, I thought to myself: “What a great rendering job!” Upon closer look at more photos, I then realized that this is an actual building that is built! The uniqueness of this building no doubt is its twisting form. It is a rather unusual form to be adopted for an apartment building. The form is not designed purely for aesthetic reasons but there are logical driving force behind it.

The architect designed this form to achieve 4 main objectives:

• To integrate the North / South pyramidal profile of the Building Volume defined with the urban setbacks stipulated by the Municipality of Taipei.

• As the suspended open-air gardens is not included in the floor area ratio, a dramatic cascades of these gardens is achieved since the planted balconies surface area can exceed the limit of the required 10%.

• Provide panoramic views of Taipei skyline to each inhabitants. Taipei 101 tower cab be seen from this building.

• Provide privacy to each apartment by avoiding direct vision axes. As the tower moves up every floor is rotated by 4.5 degrees clockwise to a total of 90 degrees. The tower looks different when viewed from different angles.

« Tao Zhu Yin Yuan » tower is self-sufficient energy wise. The “Tao Zhu Yin Yuan” tower is also inspired by the structure of double helix DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) which symbolises source of life, dynamism and twinning. Every double helix is represented in the project by two housing units forming a full level.

To achieve its Anti-Global Warming and Carbon-Absorbing Ecosystem objectives, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan covers its open spaces with trees, planting approximately 23,000 trees, shrubs and plants on the ground floor garden, the balconies and terraces of each household. It is estimated that the annual carbon absorption of this project could reach up to 130 tons with a green coverage of 246%, which is nearly 5 times higher than required by local regulation. Professional botanists carefully selected and planted multiple species of trees with better carbon absorption capabilities to improve the air quality. The growing plants on balconies provide oxygen, moisture environment, also mitigate the noise from surroundings. In addition, the tower integrates natural ventilation chimneys filtering the air inside the central core, rainwater recycle, wireless monitor control of LED lighting, fiber optic connection, light guide system and solar/wind power to achieve energy saving and carbon reduction. The double skin façade at the central core of the building extracts air at ground level by heating it in a specially adapted glass greenhouse at the base before letting the air pass through a series of filters and releasing clean air at the top. The heating at the base of the tower is done using solar energy. Think of the tower as a giant air purifier smacked right in the centre of a big city!

Solar panels is designed to integrate into the aesthetic of the roof.

Besides protecting the environment, the design team of this project also has to consider earthquake resistant. The structural design is inspired by the body of a skier in the design. The central core of the tower is the human body. The 5‐meter truss structure above 21F are the two arms. The megacolumns on the two sides are the ski poles. A suspended structural system and a Vierendeel truss system (a set of beams for every two floors) transfer all the weight via the arms (beams) to the body (central core) and then down to the foundation. The result is a one‐of‐a‐kind structural design that combines the science of mechanics and the art of aesthetics.

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan is a building that co-exists with the environment. The tower is a huge carbon absorbing Vertical Forest which sets the benchmark for designing eco-friendly buildings in urban environment. This tower no doubt has successfully put Taiwan on the map in terms of fighting global warming. It is a perfect example of action speaks louder than words. Let’s hope that more architects worldwide can learn a valuable lesson from this project.

第一次看这照片时，我对自己说：“现在的电脑可以画到如此逼真啊！” 但仔细查看其他照片后，才意识到原来这是一栋真正已建俊的建筑！这座建筑的独特性无疑是其扭曲的形状。对公寓楼设计来讲这是一种非常不寻常的建筑。

«桃竹银苑»塔的设计灵感取自于双螺旋DNA（脱氧核糖核酸）结构，双螺旋DNA象征着生命，活力和孪生的来源。

为了实现对抗全球暖化和碳吸收生态系统的目标，《桃竹银苑》用树木覆盖其空间，在底层花园，每个家庭的阳台和露台上种植了约23,000棵树木，灌木和植物。据估计，该项目的年碳吸收量可达130吨，绿色覆盖率为246％，比当地法规要求高近5倍。专业的植物学家精心挑选并种植了多种具有更好碳吸收能力的树木，以改善空气质量。阳台上生长的植物不但提供氧气，也减少了周围环境的噪音。此外，该塔还集成了自然通风烟囱，可过滤中心核心内的空气，回收雨水，无线监控LED照明，光纤连接，光导系统和太阳能/风能，以实现节能和减碳。建筑物中央核心的双层外立面通过在底部经过特殊改装的玻璃温室中加热空气来抽取地面空气，然后让空气通过一系列过滤器并在顶部释放干净的空气。塔底的加热系统利用太阳能。

除了保护环境，该项目的设计团队还必须考虑到抗震性。结构设计的灵感来自滑雪者的身体。塔的中心核心是人体。21楼上方的5米长的桁架结构是两条臂。两侧的巨型柱是滑雪杆。悬挂的结构系统和Vierendeel桁架系统（每两层一组横梁）将所有重量通过手臂（梁）传递到身体（中央核心），然后向下传递到基础。出来的效果是独一无二的结构设计，将科学和美学艺术融为一体。

桃竹银苑是一座与环境共存的建筑。该塔是一个巨大的碳吸收性垂直森林，为设计城市环境中的环保建筑树立了基准。无可否认的，这座塔成功地将台湾置于应对全球变暖的位置。这是行动胜于雄辩的完美例子。希望世界各地有更多的建筑师可以从该项目中学习到宝贵的一课以便在世界各地设计更多环保建筑。

Singapore Office Tower That Looks Like A Crystal

The design intent of 18 Robinson is to create a signature, boutique, sustainable retail and office tower. It is a product inspired by the urban, environmental and cultural context of contemporary Singapore.

Located at the intersection of Market Street and Robinson Road, the form of this building is the result of the odd shaped site. There are two primary volumes ~ a crystalline office tower that appears to be floating in the air and a retail podium below it. 

Singapore’s Landscape Replacement Area policy dictated that the building must offer publicly accessible green space that is equivalent to the site area. The solution to this authority’s requirement is to create a landscaped podium and rooftop Sky Garden featuring planted trees and natural ventilation. These areas also provide stunning views across the city.

The podium is elevated above the street, enhancing the spaciousness and continuity from the ground level entrance into the atrium garden. The angled composition of the tower allows more natural light into the building’s interior and mitigates direct views into adjacent towers.

这座高楼的设计理念是创建一个具有标志性，精品店和环保的办公大楼。设计灵感来自于当代新加坡城市，环境和文化背景。

位于新加坡两条主要大道的交汇处，这座建筑由两个主要部分组成 - 一个似乎漂浮在空中的水晶办公楼和下面的底层建筑。

新加坡政府的政策规定，该建筑物必须提供与场地面积相等的绿色空间。满足此要求的解决方案是创建一个天空花园，其中种植树木促进自然通风。民众还可以在这里观望新加坡市的美丽风景。

New Tower At Greater Bay Area

Stands at the estuary of the Pearl River, the iconic 339-metres Hengqin International Financial Centre tower has added to the skyline of the region overlooking Macau across the other side of the water. It is designed by the award winning architectural firm Aedas. Statement from the architect states that: “The spirally rising volume invokes the Chinese myth of flood dragons emerging from the sea – a perfect metaphor for the strength and power of the region.” What a bold and strong statement for a building!

Located in Zhuhai’s Hengqin Island, a future financial district connecting Hong Kong, Macao, and other major cities in the Greater Bay Area. The city, surrounded by the sea and mountainous terrain and positioned at the heart of this world-class city cluster, is set to become the catalyst of growth highlighted in China’s latest national development strategies.

“The site possesses powerful momentum for future developments. So we imagined this unique building to express the quality of speed, growth, and vitality. It resembles prosperity of the new district and rise of the country,” explains Dr. Andy Wen, Aedas Global Design Principal. The development comprises mixed programs including Grade-A office, conference and exhibition amenities, commercial apartments, and retail space. Conventional and retail spaces are placed in the podium to allow for easy public access. Offices are located at the middle section of the tower while the apartments are placed at the top, enjoying the stunning views of the area.

The design team has to impose high requirements on the tower’s wind load to withstand the strong winds during typhoon seasons due to the subtropical climate of Zhuhai. The building’s orientation is meticulously adjusted to reduce wind drag and improve pedestrians’ experience. The fluid elevations are clad in glass and metal panels, sweeping down to form a huge curtain wall system swept aside and end in horizontally creased envelope surrounding a high exhibition space with a canopy over the entrance. A smooth transition between the tower and the low rise podium is achieved by twisting the vertical elements of the building into the podium roof.

Source: ArchDaily

坐落在珠江口，这座339米高横琴国际金融中心成了该地区的新标志，风水好的地段还可以俯瞰对面的澳门。它由屡获殊荣的建筑公司Aedas所设计。建筑师的声明指出：“螺旋式上升的体积唤起了从海中涌出的洪水龙的中国神话，这是对该地区实力和力量的完美诠释。” 

位于珠海的横琴岛，这是一个未来的金融区，连接香港，澳门和大湾区的其他主要城市。这座被海洋和山脉环绕的城市，将成为中国最新国家发展战略中强调的成长區纽。

该项目包括高级办公楼，会议和展览设施，商业公寓和零售空间。办公室位于塔楼的中部，而公寓则位于塔顶，可让住户欣赏到该地区的壮丽景色。 

Upcoming Futuristic Skyscrapers In Shenzhen

The design competition to build Tower C at the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base, in China has been won by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Their multi-dimensional vertical city design consists of two naturally-lit towers that establish connections to the Shenzhen's urban intersections – namely the north-south green axis and the east-west urban alley.

The idea is to connect the proposed buildings with the adjacent parks and plazas, fusing them together into a terraced landscape which extends upwards between the two towers. Public are able to walk right into the heart of the building where cultural and leisure facilities are placed. Sweeping bridges link the towers together. These bridges are also designed as vantage points that provide panoramic views of the city.

Thanks to the advance 3D modeling tools developed by ZHA, the architects have better control over the architectural massing, buildings orientations, and façade-to-floor ratios. The final design stands at nearly 400m, wrapped with double-insulated curtain glazed walls. The buildings incorporate natural and hybrid ventilation with environmental control available on each floor.

In line with the district’s smart management systems and the city’s ambition to increase energy efficiencies and public well-being, external and interior conditions of the buildings will be constantly monitored, energy consumption will be adjusted via a smart building system. Other green design features of the buildings include water-collection and recycling, as well as photovoltaics. In addition, the aquaponics gardens situated on the terraces will biologically filter the surrounding atmosphere to reduce pollution.

Once completed, the proposed building will be an important economic contributor to the Chinese city of Shenzhen, serving Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. The project, which will act as a global technological hub that includes clusters of corporate headquarters, is planned to accommodate 300,000 employees every day. In addition to the business facilities, Tower C will also has multiple venues to host international conferences, exhibitions, and cultural programs, as well as residential developments.

著名建筑公司Zaha Hadid Architects（ZHA）最近赢得了在中国深圳湾超级总部基地C座高楼的设计竞赛。

它们的设计方案是将建筑物与邻近的公园和广场连接起来。公众可以直接踏入该建筑物的中心，那里也设有文化和休闲设施。几道桥梁将这两座摩天高塔连接起来。这些桥梁也被设计为可以观赏到深圳市的全美丽景色。

最终的设计高约400m，这些建筑物结合了自然通风和混合通风，并在每层楼进行了高科技环境控制系统。

根据该地区的智能管理策划以及深圳市为了提高能源效率和公共福利的雄心，将不断监控建筑物的外部和内部状况，并通过智能建筑系统来调整需要的能耗。建筑物的其他绿色设计特征包括收集雨水和回收利用，以及光伏发电。此外，位于露台上的花园将对周围的空气过滤，以减少污染。

建成后，这座非凡的建筑将成为中国深圳的重要经济區杻，服务广东，香港和澳门。该项目将每天容纳30万名员工。除了商务设施外，C座还将有多个场地，适合举办国际会议，展览，文化节目以及住宅用途。

Asia Is Now The Skyscraper Epicentre Of The World

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has announced that 2016 saw the completion of a record 128 buildings 200 meters or higher. This is stated in its annual report, the 2016 Tall Building Year in Review. Eighteen of these buildings became the tallest either in their respective cities, countries or regions. Ten of the 128 buildings are 300 meters and above high, earning them the title of supertall buildings.

84% or 107 of these buildings are located in Asia. China topped this list with a record of 84 completions, including the tallest building among those completed in 2015, namely the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre. The 530-meter mixed-use skyscraper, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, now stands the second-tallest building in China and the fifth-tallest building in the world.

Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre

Shenzhen saw the most new 200-meter-plus buildings of any city in 2016 with 11 completions for a total height of 2,608 meters. 

Ningbo Bank of China

Source: ArchDaily

CTBUH 在2016年宣布一共有128座200米或更高的建筑完成。这都记录在其年度报告《 2016年 高层建筑年度回顾》里。 这些建筑中有18座成为了在各自城市，国家或地区中最高的。此外，还有另外10座是超过300米高，因此获得了超高层建筑的称号 。

其中84％或107座建筑物都位于亚洲。中国以84项完工记录创下榜首，其中包括2015年竣工的最高建筑广州周大福金融中心。这座由Kohn Pedersen Fox设计的530米高综合用途摩天大楼现在是中国第二高的建筑，也是世界第五高的建筑。 

Hong Kong Celebrated 2021 Online

 

The Covid-19 pandemic is not going to stop the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) from sharing festive cheers, especially in ringing in the 2021 new year.

This New Year's Eve, for the first time, the HKTB's signature "Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations" will go online said the territory's tourism agency.

"Everyone around the world can join in the celebration wherever they are located using their mobile phones or via computers," HKTB said in a statement.

On Dec 31, the HKTB's website (discoverhongkong.com) and social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube) will begin showing a live countdown clock at 11pm (HKT) and 11:30pm (HKT) respectively.

Once the clock strikes midnight, a two-minute video showing Victoria Harbour in all its glory as well as iconic landmarks in Hong Kong will follow, along with festive greetings sending blessings to the world. In addition to ushering in the New Year with people worldwide, it will also send the message that Hong Kong remains vibrant as ever in the New Year.

"HKTB invites the global media to simulcast the "Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations" and spread hopes and joy throughout the world. Please refer to page 3 to 5 for details about the simulcast," it said.

Source: NST