new building added to Shanghai's skyline - SWFC

in mid-2008, Shanghai's metropolis skyline will have a new member - Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) or 上海环球金融中心.

Conceptual design for SWFC
Note for trapezium hole at the roof

when it is finally completed, it will stand at 492m. It is taller than its neighbour, Jin Mao 88 (金茂大厦) by 72m (rooftop antenna included) and trails Taipei's 101 Tower by only 16m (rooftop antenna included). The topping out ceremony for SWFC is being held today.

the developer is Mori Building (Japan) and designed by Kohn Pederson Fox.

as the building is very tall, it is susceptible to turbulent wind conditions. This building is the first in China to be actively damped by a pair of 150 ton weights.

This was taken when i visited Shanghai in July 2006
The SWFC was nowhere to be found then (actually, hiding behind Jin Mao)

Presto! A year plus later, look at what is beside Aurora!

The night view of SWFC and Jin Mao 88

China's architectural ability is strong - thanks to the amount of construction workers plus the property boom.