Qingdao can be considered as one of the most livable maritime cities in China as it fully benefits from its outstanding landscape along the curved shores of the Yellow Sea and the beautiful silhouette of the Laoshan Mountain in the back. The new tower for the Shandong Port Group is one of the initial landmark projects of the Dagang Cruise Home-port Free Trade Zone which is the geometric center of Qingdao’s main urban area at the east coast of Jiaozhou Bay. The project is located in the central of Wharf No 6 of Qingdao Port, neighboring the new Cruise Home-port Passenger Transportation Center with which it will form an architectural landmark in the Qingdao port.

The specific shape of Shandong Port Tower is the result of careful site analysis. The 203m high-rise takes up and merge the main axis geometry of the urban surrounding to form an unmistakable landmark. The three facades of the building are turned in a way that all office levels enjoy an unobstructed view to the surrounding. There is especially no interference with the neighboring twin tower of Zhonglian Ziyou Gangwan.

▼高辨识度的城市地标，the unmistakable landmark ©CreatAR Images

In order to create a distinctive and consistent architectural shape, the architectural design of Shandong Port Tower uses a unique curved shape, inspired by sails, and the upward curve complements the newly built cruise port terminal. The upright headquarters building continues the same architectural axis of the cruise port terminal. All the metal components are white, which is related to the classic images of white sails and ships, in a background of the blue sky and clear water, forming an unforgettable classic coastal scene, which recalls the Olympic sailing competition in Qingdao.