To create a tower that embodies strength and stability, the concept of entasis influenced its curving shape. Entasis in architecture is the complex curve given to a column to correct the optical illusion of weakness that would arise from normal tapering. Clad in a pleated glass exterior wall that recalls the structure and lightness of Chinese paper arts, the tower’s uniquely folded surface catches light and maximizes views for occupants. On the top floors of the tower, a two level “living room for the city” has a publicly accessible restaurant and observation deck, offering 360-degree views that provide a unique experience of the city’s fabric.

The tower created a new central business district adjacent to the historic district, providing downtown density and capitalizing on the new high-speed rail link to Beijing. Bringing a renewed prominence to the Haihe River, the building extends the existing riverfront promenade, creating a compact and walkable downtown. The large, open space bordering the building is both a garden and an inviting public destination, providing opportunities for informal social exchange with spectacular views of the river.

Visible from all of Tianjin, the tower also marks the location of the city center. Embraced on social, cultural, and political levels, the Tianjin Global Financial Center has been dubbed the “face of Tianjin.”