In China, Sun Tower by PEN Architecture was recently completed. It is a concrete structure rising fifty meters above the shoreline that combines an observatory, an open-air theater, exhibition spaces, a library, a café, a bar and a special space – Phenomena Space. Located on the coast of the Yellow Sea, the “Solar Tower” becomes an iconic unique place on the map of Yantai city, serving residents and visitors.
The original design brief for this project along the coast of Yantai, a coastal city at the tip of the Shandong Peninsula, was surprisingly simple – the local commune, a former industrial district now striving to provide better living conditions for a rapidly growing population, wanted something unique to beautify its coastline.
When designing Sun Tower, the OPEN team of architects decided to emphasize Yantai’s deep connection with the sun and sea. Reflecting the region’s ancient history as a site of sun worship and Ming dynasty watchtowers, Sun Tower is a modern interpretation of traditional lighthouses. This multi-functional structure is designed to embody the changing passage of time, anchoring the community in natural cycles and a historical respect for the solar movements.
The building consists of three main functional parts: a semi-open-air theater at the base that is also the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the sea, a winding exhibition space with ocean viewpoints in the middle, a library and Phenomena Space at the top. It is also a tower for observing nature and a place of worship.
When looking at the building, what catches the eye is the characteristic open space facing the water. This is a special treatment whose task is collecting and amplifying sea soundswhich resonates through the structure into the amphitheater at its base. A series of elliptical rings radiate from the central square, symbolizing the orbits of the planets. The intersections between the rings and the water channel mark the trace of the building’s shadow at certain times on the equinox. On one of the outer rings, a series of fountains were designed to celebrate the 24 solar periods of the traditional Chinese calendar; on normal days they are synchronized with the high and low tides.
At the top of the Sun Tower is the library and Phenomena Space, where guests can enjoy panoramic ocean views. This semi-open observation deck has an oculus that allows you to collect rainwater in a tranquil pool, further promoting contemplation.
Source: OPEN Architecture, designboom.com
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
