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Title: Case Study: China Zun Tower, Beijing

Authors: Liu Peng, Associate Director, Arup

Nengjun Luo, Deputy General Manager, CITIC HEYE Investment CO., LTD.
Robert Whitlock, Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Li Lei, Senior Associate Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

Subjects: Architectural/Design
Building Case Study

Keywords: BIM
Structural Engineering
Urban Design

Publication Date: 2014

Original Publication: CTBUH Journal, 2014 Issue III

Paper Type: 1. Book chapter/Part chapter

2. Journal paper
3. Conference proceeding
4. Unpublished conference paper
5. Magazine article
6. Unpublished

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat / Liu Peng; Nengjun Luo; Robert Whitlock; Li Lei
Case Study: China Zun Tower, Beijing

A Finely-Crafted Vessel in the New CBD Core

China Zun Tower will be the flagship building of Beijings comprehensively
planned 30-hectare central business district core. The 528-meter-tall tower
will stand far above its surroundings and become one of the most prominent
icons of the city.

The towers gently rising and curving form The project has undergone the
Robert Whitlock Li Lei
embodies the historic capitals gracefulness, precertification process with the US Green
and resembles an ancient Chinese ceremonial Building Council (USGBC) and is on the path
vessel, called the Zun (see Figures 1 and 2). to achieve eventual LEED Gold certification.
During the projects land bid phase, this Key design aspects supporting sustainability
conceptual reference was established as a include a high-performance building
part of the 2010 master plan by TFP, BIAD, envelope with an optimized window-to-wall
Arup, and MVA. Since project design began, ratio and triple glazing, energy-efficient
KPF has interpreted the cultural reference as a mechanical equipment, use of local materials,
Luo Nengjun Liu Peng generative motif for designing tower form, and application of greywater toilet systems
envelope, and major interior spaces, by and rooftop solar panels.
Authors
distilling and applying the articulation
Robert Whitlock, Principal techniques of the Zun vessel.
Li Lei, Senior Associate Principal
Kohn Pedersen Fox Urban Context
11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, United States Beijing has the highest seismic fortification
t: +1 212 977 6500, f:+1 212 956 2526
www.kpf.com requirement of the major cities in China, The new Beijing CBD core is located at the
making the structural system particularly northeast side of the Third Ring Road and
Dr. Luo Nengjun, Deputy General Manager
CITIC Heye Investment Co. Ltd. sensitive to adjustments of the complex form. Jianguo Avenue intersection, approximately
Capital Mansion, Room 3401, 6 Xinyuan Nan Lu During the schematic and design 5.5 kilometers east of Tiananmen Square and
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004, China
t: +86 10 8486 8966, f: +86 10 8486 8583 development phases, the design architect outside the historic center of Beijing. The
www.realestate.citic.com and lead engineer teams implemented urban centers infrastructure will be
Dr. Liu Peng, Associate Director parametric modeling, using a common completely modernized to support its
Arup International Consultants software platform that greatly expedited the densification and transformation into one of
Room 3008, 30F Jing Guang Centre, Hu Jia Lou
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020, China design and coordination process. The tower Chinas key international finance, service, and
t: +86 10 5960 1188 design was a result of a careful negotiation of media centers.
www.arup.com
multiple design parameters, to achieve an
Robert Whitlock, with over 25 years of professional optimized balance between a sculptural, Around China Zun Tower in the CBD core,
experience, has developed an expertise on high-rise elegant and iconic form, optimized structural there are more than 20 tall buildings, ranging
towers, mixed-use developments, and large-scale
master plans. Robert is also responsible for several and elevator systems, and efficient and from 150 meters to 350 meters in height. A
supertall projects, including Chongqing International effective interior program spaces. linear public park with underground retail and
Trade and Commerce Center and Suzhou International
Finance Square currently under construction.

Li Lei has over 17 years of design experience on a

wide spectrum of project types. As Senior Designer
he has led design teams on a number of significant
projects including China Zun Tower, Beijing Huaneng
Headquarters, Nanning Airport Terminal, and American
Commerce Center.

Dr. Luo Nengjun is responsible for the overall

planning and operation control of project
management, design, construction of the China
Zun Tower. He has been engaged in many Chinese
supertall building projects, including the Shanghai
World Finance Center and Tianjin 117 Tower.

Dr. Liu Peng is the leader of the Arup Beijing structural

team. He has substantial experience in tall building
design, seismic design, and China projects. He has
been involved in or responsible for the structural
design of many projects in China, including the China
Zun Tower.
Figure 1. China Zun Tower, located in Beijing CBD. KPF

14 | China Zun Tower, Beijing CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III

parking facilities runs through the middle of
the core area, with the tower anchoring the
northern end (see Figure 2). The tower forms an
iconic backdrop to the park, and a prominent
new destination for visitors.

Apart from being adjacent to a major bus

station above grade, the tower will also be
rooted in a vast underground transportation
infrastructure network, encompassing the CBD
core currently under construction. These
include a pedestrian passageway system, lined
with retail space at Level B1, linking together
four subway lines across three stations; and an
entire Level B2 roadway network for passenger
and service vehicles, providing direct access to
the tower basement and public parking levels
under the Central Green.

Overall Tower Design

The tower contains 350,000 square meters of

gross floor area spread over 108 floors above
grade (see Figure 3). While the tower profile is
curved, its floor plates are square with rounded
corners (see Figure 4). Combined with a square
core, leasable interior office space is optimized.

Under a six-meter-tall parapet that screens

window-washing machines, the main body of
the tower is organized primarily into eight
zones above the ground floor lobbies and a
conference center at Levels 3 and 4. There are
three office sky lobbies, with meeting and staff Figure 2. China Zun Tower is the centerpiece of the new Beijing CBD. KPF
dining facilities, located at the tops of Zones 2,
4, and 6. They are accessible via a set of
dedicated high-speed double-decker shuttle

Around China Zun Tower in the CBD core,

elevators. The tower will primarily house the
headquarters of CITIC Group and CITIC Bank,
occupying four zones, while the remaining
three zones will be leased to tenants. At the top
there are more than 20 tall buildings planned,
of the tower, an observation deck, with a
multi-functional business center, provides
ranging from 150 meters to 350 meters in height.
360-degree views of Beijing. Apart from being adjacent to a major bus station
Below grade, there are seven floors totaling above grade, the tower will also be rooted in a
87,000 square meters, primarily
accommodating lower-floor office elevator vast underground transportation infrastructure
lobbies, a bank, retail, building management,
network, encompassing the CBD core currently

and parking spaces.
under construction.

CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III China Zun Tower, Beijing | 15

 Compared to a typically straight or tapering
supertall tower form, the concave tower
profile offers more valuable prime-floor
spaces and ample space for window washing,
82th Floor
as well as other support systems, at the top of
the tower. While the large top poses 106th Floor
significant structural challenges, the larger
base provides an opportunity for structural
balance, formal contrast and preferred
core-to-perimeter distances.

During the schematic design phase, in

conjunction with variations in program
stacking and resulting core configurations, the
design architect and lead engineering teams
tested various tower profiles for the
effectiveness and efficiency of structural
systems and office floor plates, while also
balancing considerations for the elegance and
iconic quality of the form. The complex design
process was greatly enhanced by parametric 38th Floor
modeling that clarified the geometric
principles of both the building envelope and
82th Floor
structural systems, as well as their
corresponding relationships.

The final tower profile is composed of four

tangential arcs with the base, center waist,
Figure 4. Floor plans Level 106 Observation deck (top), and top, measuring 78, 54, and 69 meters
Level 38 Typical floor plan (bottom). KPF/BIAD across, respectively. The tower waist is set
above all surrounding buildings, at a
In essence, the concept design architect 385-meter height, to highlight its curved
conceived of the tower massing as a profile in the citys skyline.
transforming shell that gradually bends to
create a dramatic and elegant form. The
concept is also applied to other key elements Exterior Envelope Design
of the tower, including the entrances,
ground-floor lobby and observation deck. The tower envelope is divided into 128 panels
per floor, with continuous vertical panel
At the bottom, the tower thrusts into the divisions. The verticals are grouped into 38th Floor
ground with massive corner supports, while alternating major and minor ribs. Continuous
the exterior shell is gently lifted up and window washing tracks are housed in the
stretched forward at the four sides. The design middle of the major ribs, while LED lighting1st Floor
visually extends the lobby outward, forming strips are embedded into the sides of the
dynamic drop-off spaces and creating a focal minor ribs. The vertical ribs helps to mitigate
point at the CBD core area (see Figure 5). At the complexity of the curtain wall.
the top, the exterior envelope becomes more
transparent at the observation deck (see The subtly tightening and stretching
Figure 6) and allows more visibility to the envelope texture echoes the transformation
inner trumpet-shaped business center, which of the tower massing. It is achieved by
lights up at night, forming a beacon that will tapering and then widening the major ribs
be visible throughout the city (see Figure 7). along the tower height. Not only does this rib
Figure 3. Section. KPF/BIAD design amplify the effect of the tower form; its

16 | China Zun Tower, Beijing CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III

Figure 5. Tower base. KPF

Figure 7. The towers dual lateral resistance system.

Figure 6. Tower top. KPF Arup

consistency helps to bridge the geometric is a vertically tensioned system with low-iron of the additional mass located at the top was
transition between the straight faces and glass panels. The lobby interior ribs extend considered carefully in the structural design.
curved corners. Triangular in plan, the rib through the tension wall to the exterior, and
projections provide solar shading for the connect with the exterior ribs at the canopy The dual lateral resistance system is
building and help to mitigate the visual edge. The strong reading of a transparent and composed of a perimeter megastructure and
impact of the ventilation slots required at welcoming lobby that integrates inside and a central core (see Figure 7). The
mechanical floors. outside is a reflection of the clients corporate megastructure at the perimeter can be simply
identity. imagined as a megatruss rooted from the
At the top of the tower, the major ribs extend ground. Eight megacolumns at the corners
the full height of the business center dining act as the chord members, and merge into
floor and the observation deck at Levels 105 Structural Design four columns at the base. The megabraces
and 106 (see Figure 6). The minor ribs and transfer truss are the diagonals and posts
terminate at Level 104 and are replaced by a Beijing has the highest seismic fortification of the megatruss. This perimeter structure
tensioned cable system with horizontal glass requirement of Chinas major cities provides substantial lateral stiffness, which is
fin bracing, affording a wider exterior view. (PGA=0.20g for a 475-year return period). The essential to the safety of the building.
structural system of a tower with such a
At the bottom of the tower, where the height must find a proper balance between The megacolumns are concrete-filled steel
exterior wall transforms to form the canopy, its stiffness and ductility. boxes (CFBs), either with single
geometry is the most challenging. Through a compartments, or multiple compartments
shingled articulation of a warped shell, the The China Zun Tower has a narrow neck and separated by steel plates. The core is mostly
design achieves minimal complexity and an enlarged head, which contrasts with most reinforced concrete, embedded with steel
reduction in cost by avoiding the need to use high-rise buildings that reduce width as plates at lower and top floors for shear and
hot bent-glass panels. The lobby exterior wall height increases. The potential adverse effect axial resistance, and steel diagonal braces at

CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III China Zun Tower, Beijing | 17

middle floors to increase ductility. The Various options have been studied through buildings. Restrained from buckling by the
megaframe provides the majority of the this parametric modeling method. The main surrounding reinforced concrete, the
lateral stiffness, and the core provides goals were to maximize the lever arm of the embedded steel plate provides very high shear
secondary reinforcement. Outriggers were perimeter frame, maintain the column line in capacity. The wall thickness can also be
studied, but proved too inefficient and thus one single vertical plane, so as to minimize reduced, because the addition of the steel
were not used. secondary forces, and minimize unrentable plates reduces the axial stress of the whole wall
area between the perimeter structure and section under compression forces.
The gravity load is taken down through the slab edge.
composite floor to the secondary frame and The enlarged top zone of the tower generates
core. The secondary frame at the perimeter With this parametric modeling technology, additional adverse shear in the perimeter at the
passes the gravity load to the transfer truss at engineers were able to evaluate geometrically neck floors. The smaller lever arm at the neck
the bottom of each zone, which in turn varied options in a very short time and floors results in the higher-strength demands
transfers the gravity load to the mega generate feedback with quantitative, for the core wall elements. Non-linear analysis
columns, so as to balance the large tension actionable results. The final column line was revealed that severe damage could occur on
force due to the overturning moment determined as an optimal balance to satisfy these floors if no special strengthening
presented by lateral loads. the above criteria. With a single kink point at techniques were considered. Finally, steel
major zones and double kink points at Zones bracing is embedded into the core walls to
The perimeter megaframe 7 and 8, the engineers achieved a structure- increase their shear capacity.
It is a challenge to design a megaframe to-faade distance of one meter on most
system to fit a curving profile. For each floors (see Figures 8 and 9). Extensive nonlinear analysis, using simulated
approximately 15-story zone, the megaframe and actual seismic records, has been carried
is maintained in one plane to facilitate The core out to evaluate the safety of the building under
connectivity and avoid additional forces. The concrete core is an atypical choice for the MCE condition. A 1:40 shaking table test
Furthermore, the various tower profiles have super high-rise buildings in such a high was conducted, to ensure that the structural
to be evaluated quantitatively. The latest seismic zone. In Chinese code, it is required design satisfies the criteria for different seismic
parametric design technology was adopted that there be no shear failure during a levels.
to fulfill this task in a short time. maximum credible earthquake (MCE) event.
To achieve this, steel plates with a thickness of The foundation and the basement
The geometry of the megaframe is built in 30 to 60 millimeters are embedded in the The tower is supported by a pile foundation
Rhinoceros software with its parametric concrete walls from the ground to Level 41, that begins 79 meters below ground, in Layer
modeling plug-in Grasshopper. The key increasing the shear capacity of the wall by 12 of Beijing pebble sand. As the site is quite
geometric parameters are input so that, when three times, thus making the concrete core small (84 meters in the north-south direction
it is changed, the structural configuration is feasible. and 130 meters in the east-west direction), the
easily updated. An in-house-developed basement contains seven floors, and the soffit
structural BIM plug-in is then used to input The nearby China World Trade Center Phase of the base plate is 37 meters below ground.
structural information such as materials, 3A Tower, completed in 2010, is the first Thus, the effective pile length (the difference
sections, and loading tolerances. The building to have adopted this composite wall between the base of the pile foundation and
completed structural model is then exported approach. Since then, the composite steel the soffit of the base plate) is about 42 meters.
to the commercial software for analysis. plate wall has been used widely in supertall The pile diameters are between 1.0 and 1.2
meters. The pile group supports the tower and
the basement through a pile cap with a
maximum thickness of 6.5 meters.

Beijing has the highest seismic fortification

requirement of Chinas major cities
Project Management Approach

(PGA=0.20g for a 475-year return period). The The developer has systematically devised an
innovative design management model for

structural system of a tower with such a height effectively realizing the design scheme in the
construction stage:
must find a proper balance between stiffness and

EPC-based design management system
ductility. Engineering, procurement, and construction

18 | China Zun Tower, Beijing CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III

 1 faade kink point everywhere
2 faade kink points everywhere

Figure 8. Office layout in relation to structure. Arup Figure 9. Optimal faade distance at each floor level. Arup

(EPC) is one of the most common models finalized, establishing direct communication The social responsibility of the developer
applied in international project management. It between various parties responsible for and the designers is reflected by the
improves the efficiency of implementing in schematic design, design development, and sustainable policies deployed during the
construction the required functions and construction drawing phases. design of the project. These include
programs specified in the building design. materials conservation, rationalized
However, the policy of separately managing Effective coordination between specialist construction, and reduction of energy
design and construction qualifications creates a consultants and general design contractor. consumption. In the architecture field, green
gap in the information exchange and work Design services for the China Zun Tower are building standards, energy-efficient and
handover between various design phases, as provided by the design consortium, as well environmental-friendly curtain wall systems
well as between design and construction. To as more than 30 specialist design companies were adopted. In the structural design field,
bridge the possible gap in the information and professional consultants. In order to the use of advanced modeling technology
exchange and responsibility, the client increase the efficiency of cooperation, the to select the appropriate displacement
contracted with a design consortium including specialist designers and consultants signed a constraint and load parameters resulted in
major design firms responsible for different three-party contract with BIAD, the general an optimized structural system and high
design stages, so as to achieve a seamless design contractor, and CITIC HEYE. The structural efficiency.
handover in design. Construction and building deliverables by the specialist designers and
management experts, including contractors consultants are directly assessed and The Application of BIM Technology
and building managers, were engaged to managed by the general design contractor. China Zun Tower is characterized by a large
review design deliverables to ensure build- investment, a long development and
ability and ease of building operation. Comprehensive assessment of design construction cycle, complicated
deliverables. technologies, and the involvement of a large
The design consortium The key indicators for assessing the success number of stakeholders. In November 2011,
From August, 2012, a design management of the design scheme include the BIM technology was introduced to the
system that clarifies the work split, specifies satisfaction degree of the owner and final project in order to: accelerate the program,
responsibilities, and combines the advantages users, operation and maintenance costs, and reduce the cost, promote the efficiency of
of all parties was gradually developed, referring fulfillment of social responsibilities. design coordination and constructability
to international project management analysis, and provide a data foundation for
experience and considering the design Based on available statistics derived from the the operation and maintenance of the
management needs of the China Zun Tower. Jin Mao and Shanghai World Financial building.
After nine months of communication and Center projects, the operation and
coordination, a consortium was struck, maintenance cost of a supertall high-rise From the end of 2011, to the beginning of
composed of KPF, Arup, and PBA, primarily building over an estimated 65-year 2012, the owner organized nine BIM
responsible for the schematic design and operation period is nearly triple its technology service providers to discuss how
design development phases, with local design construction cost. Based on the design to apply the technology to the project, and
institute of record Beijing Institute of Architec- concept of life cycle cost, the requirement establish rules and standards for the BIM
tural Design (BIAD) and CITIC General Institute for cost-effectiveness needed to be satisfied application. The findings of this exercise
of Architectural Design and Research carrying in every detail of the design procedure, were later published for future reference.
primary responsibility for the construction including the window-to-wall ratio, the
drawing phase. On April 10, 2013, the design reasonable value for structure safety factors, The Guide to BIM Execution in China Zun
contract forming the design joint venture was and so on. Tower was compiled according to the BIM

CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III China Zun Tower, Beijing | 19

 application experience of all the parties in phases of the project. Such processes are The establishment of the design consortium
the design consortium and in the 2D and 3D developed according to a hierarchy that for China Zun Tower changes the zero-sum
coordination work practice, covering BIM places the architect at the top (see Figures game contractual relationship into a
management regulations and technical 10 and 11). The BIM responsibilities thus have multi-win partnership, thus creating the
standards. The guide was established to a one-to-one correspondence to the project basic setting for the formation of system
foster better communication and contractual liabilities. The deliverables of the integration and synergy. In the circumstance
coordination of all parties. Moreover, to design phase indicated that BIM technology where the engineering procurement and
ensure that the BIM information standards has played a quite significant role in construction (EPC) model was unavailable
would be applied consistently, a BIM reducing coordination errors and promoting due to policy constraints, BIM played a key
execution framework system was developed, the implementation efficiency and role in promoting the seamless connection
and continues to be improved as BIM constructability of the design plans. Taking of design and construction throughout the
application experience accumulates during the finished basement construction process.
the course of the project. document (version 4.0) as an example, a
total of 147 discrepancies were found, in
BIM management processes were which there were 8 discrepancies related to Project Data
developed according to the management MEP facility locations, and 20 discrepancies
system during the design and development in the MEP duct-routing integration. Expected Completion Date: 2018
Height: 528 meters
Stories: 108
Total Area: 437,000 square meters
Use: Office, observation deck
Owner/Developer: CITIC HEYE Investment CO.
LTD.
Architect: TFP Farrells (concept); Kohn Pedersen
Fox Associates (concept & design); Beijing
Institute of Architecture and Design Co., Ltd.
(BIAD) (concept & architect of record); CITIC
General Institute of Architectural Design &
Research Co., Ltd. (architect of record)
Structural Engineer: Arup; BIAD
MEP Engineer: Parsons Brinckerhoff; BIAD
Other Consultants: ALT Limited (faade);
Altitude Faade Access Consulting (faade
maintenance); Brandston Partnership (lighting);
RWDI (wind)

Figure 10. BIM management process at the design phase. CITIC Heye Investment Co. Ltd.

The China Zun project will be featured at

the Shanghai Conference, through the
presentation by Weiping Shao of BIAD
entitled China Zun: Shaping the Future
Skyline of Beijing, Session 15: Tools for
Design Optimization, Thursday, 18th
September, 1:45 3.15 p.m.

In addition, Dr. Nengjun Luo of China Zun

developer CITIC HEYE Investment Co. Ltd.
will be speaking in Panel Discussion 2, The
Differences in Developing Tall Buildings
in Cities Across China, Wednesday, 17th
September, 1:45 3.15 p.m.

Figure 11. BIM management process at the construction phase. CITIC Heye Investment Co. Ltd.

20 | China Zun Tower, Beijing CTBUH Journal | 2014 Issue III