International Finance Centre / Cesar Pelli & Associates / Hong Kong

International Finance Centre 

• Architects:  Cesar Pelli & Associates;
• Architect of Record:  Rocco Design Architects Limited 
• Location:  Hong Kong, China
• Client/Developer:  Henderson Land Development; Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited 
• Structural Engineering:  ARUP; Leslie E Robertson Associates
• MEP Engineer:  J. Roger Preston Limited  
• Structural Type:  Framed Tube
• Structural Material:  Composite (Core: Reinforced Concrete; Columns: Concrete Encased Steel; Floor Spanning: Steel)
• Building Height:  412 meters 
• Project Dates:  1998-2003
• Building Function:  Office
• Main Contractor:  E Man-Sanfield JV Construction
• Environmental Consultant:  Westwood Hong & Associates Ltd.  
• Facade Consultant:  Adamson Associates; Permasteelisa Group; Israel Berger & Associates; Vidaris Inc.
• Landscape Consultant:  Urbis Pty Ltd. 
• Quantity Surveyor:  Rider Levett Bucknall
• Traffic Consultant:  MVA Transportation, Planning & Management Consultants  
• Vertical Transportation Consultant:  Lerch Bates
• Wind Engineering Consultant:  RWDI

The International Finance Centre is an integrated commercial development on the waterfront of Hong Kong's Central District, which is designed to complement the natural beauty of its surroundings. It is located at the narrowest crossing of Victoria Harbor, with Victoria Peak in the background. Part of the Hong Kong Central Station Development the complex includes One International Finance Centre, Two International Finance Centre, and a retail podium with a public roof garden. The tower stands apart from the cluster of other high-rise buildings, distinguished by its unique configuration as well as its proximity to the water.

Its obelisk form tapers with subtle setbacks, which evokes a sense of ascension. The tower is clad in reflective glass and vertical window mullions, which trace sharp lines from the base to the top of the building. The mullions are shaped like airfoils and painted a silver pearl color, causing the building to shimmer and reflect the water nearby. The scrupulous articulation of the curtain wall softens the surface and emphasizes the verticality of the form. The open design of the tower's sculptured crown integrates the building with its natural background, letting the sky behind it show through.

Constructed on a square footprint, the floor plan is open, with few structural columns in place. A central core of reinforced concrete holds the primary structure and building services. The core's size was driven by the need to amplify the efficiency of the vertical transportation system. The tower employs outrigger laterals for stability, utilizing eight main mega-columns, with small secondary columns in the four corners of the building. These techniques were used to keep the perimeter structure minimal, so as to provide flexible office layouts and to maximize the panoramic views from the tower, making the space as comfortable, beautiful, and efficient as possible.

Project Summary -

• 415 m one of the iconic tower of the Hong Kong's waterfront skyline.
• 88 storeys Grade-A office accommodation.
• 61 m diameter of cofferdam as part of the foundation system.

Clear project requirements and expectations -

Key planning Principles were:

1. To derive an appropriate layout and internal road to ensure a smooth operation of the Airport, Railway.
2. To form a seaward extension of the existing Central Business District to the new waterfront by developing a hierarchical pattern of pedestrian linkages across the site.
3. To achieve a mix of high quality office, hotel and retail expansion of Central Business District functions as envisaged under the Metro-plan framework.
4. To provide focal buildings which will be compatible with the other nearby planned developments in the new reclamation area.
5. To maintain a high degree of inter-visibility between Victoria Harbor and the Central Business District's landmark buildings in the vicinity.
6. To take into account environmental issues, especially noise and air pollution.

Design -

The original Master Layout Plan inherited by the Developers had 5 towers compared to the 4 that are now built. For environmental and commercial reasons, it was decided to combine the 2 office towers on the northern site - and Two IFC was conceived. Major advantages of this scheme included:

• The creation of a landmark building (420 meters in height) for Hong Kong.
• The removal of one tower freed up space on the podium roof, enabling the design of a major public park, 1.3 hectare in area in lieu of the 0.7 hectare in the original scheme.
• Visual permeability through the development was greatly enhanced with one less 40-storey tower above the podium and the wall effect was eliminated.

Two International Finance Centre -

As a result of combining two 40-storey towers in the original Master Layout Plan, Two IFC was mandated to be Hong Kong's tallest building. With such stature, comes a uniqueness of urban responsibility as the tallest visible structure instantly becomes the focal center of the city.

The design of Two IFC is in the tradition of true skyscrapers. With a centric form that tapers with well-proportional setbacks, he architects aspired to express a vertical movement towards the sky. The massing of the tower becomes more sculptural near the top, further enhancing this expression. The height is further emphasized with vertical fins on the external facade which gradually lightens in color as it ascends to the top. These sample fins gave the facade an extra dimension in aesthetics: looking at the building perpendicular to the fins, one would see more of the glass and less of the fins and the reverse holds true. The colour of the building will appear to have varying shades when looking at it at an oblique manner.

Engineering Concept -

One of the key drivers for the structural design was the requirement to maximize the views from the tower. The tallest building in Hong Kong, overlooking the harbor had the potential for breathtaking views and obstruction of the views was not allowed. For the reason a mega-column and outrigger system was adopted in preference to other common tall building systems. The three outriggers, each three storeys high, would be located at the mechanical and refuge floor zones so as to eliminate intrusion into the lettable space. The mega-columns, of which there are not only two per face of the building, are spaced 24m apart, thus satisfying the criteria for maximized view.

The result is virtually column-free floor plates of 2,500 sq.m. Together with the unbeatable views and the flexibility the space allows for planning. Two IFC has become the most sought after space in Hong Kong and the region.

Context and Contributions to Urban Development -

By its scale and its prominent location at the hub of the Central Business District connecting 7 ferry piers, 2 railway station interchange, bus and taxi subway terminus, the development is becoming a key element in the cityscape of CBD. With direct access to the transportation networks below it is a fully-fledged transportation hub and a gateway to the city. A total of twelve footbridges have been constructed as part of the development lies in the careful.

The podium is a multi-level network of interlocking and interpenetrating arteries drawing people through various routes and delivering them to various destinations. The development has also been designed to integrate into the existing grid. The grid of the first phase is oriented such that it is orthogonal to the Hang Seng Bank Building to the south and transforms across the site such that the grid for the second phase is parallel to the harbor.

Social-Cultural Response - 

With a site area of 57,107 sq.m. (614,700 sq.ft.), the size of 11 football fields, the completed development will determine the image of Hong Kong for years to come. With four high-rise towers the design of the development as a whole was an exercise in spatial transparency. The design sought after was also to be simple and timeless and it was important that the merits of the design be acknowledged and understood by all.

The impact of having 4.7 million sq.ft. of real estate in an already developed area needs to be studied carefully. Apart from the obvious terminal design concerns over blocking, traffic and connection with the existing pedestrian flow. The social-economic balance and implication with its surroundings became one of the developer's very concern. The developer's vision will in time shape and mould the character of this micro community. Like all major cities in the world, the CBD is a place where people work and commute with little reason to stay after working hours. The introduction of a shopping center provides the developer with an opportunity to change the urban pattern of the area by creating a leisure and entertainment hub. Office workers within the area could now have the option  of spending the after work time within the area avoiding the exodus of office workers to other established retail areas after work. The introduction of cinemas, shops, restaurants with outdoor harbor view spaces, a gymnasium and with ample provision of carparks, IFC mall had quickly became the place to be for people within and area afar.    

The 2IFC tower set new standards for high rise design post 9/11. We incorporated a system of structural stability which has inherent robustness and redundancy in the event of an extreme load. As a result 2IFC is one of the most resilient buildings in the world." ” 

-  Craig Gibbons (Arup)